Ben Swift recovering after suffering spleen rupture in training crash
Swift hopes to be recovered in time to compete at Milan-San Remo in March
Ben Swift is recovering in the hospital in Tenerife, Spain, following a heavy crash on Wednesday and a ruptured spleen.
He was training on the island with Sky team-mate and Tour de France champion Geraint Thomas.
Swift, who began racing with Team Sky again in 2019, hopes to return in time for Milan-San Remo – only one month away on March 23. Doctors will possibly move him from intensive care on Friday.
>>> UAE Tour start list: Mark Cavendish, Vincenzo Nibali and Tom Dumoulin due to ride
"I'm still in intensive care. Hopefully I'm moving out of here today," Swift told Cycling Weekly. "My spleen has been stabilised."
Swift already began his season with Sky with the Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana, where he spirited to third on stage two, and the Tour de la Provence.
In Spain, he was training ahead of a programme that was due to include the Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne on March 3. On a training ride with 2018 Tour winner Geraint Thomas, Swift hit a rock or something in the road.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
"It was the same colour of the road on a shaded section," he continued.
He suffered facial wounds and road rash, but scans revealed fractures. However, he ruptured his spleen. Doctors performed an operation on Wednesday afternoon to reduce the risk of further bleeding, explained Team Sky
"Thankfully though, he didn't lose consciousness and was aware of the incident afterwards," Team Sky doctor Inigo Sarriegui explained.
"We will continue to monitor him over the coming days, but 24 hours on from the crash he is already feeling better."
Swift, who raced the last two years with UAE Team Emirates, remains optimistic.
"Because I didn't have to have it removed then I guess once I am out of hospital it shouldn't be to bad," he said.
"I am guessing Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne is off schedule, but I hope to keep my plans for Milan-San Remo."
Swift placed third in the 2014 Milan-San Remo and second in 2016, his final year before leaving Team Sky for UAE.
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Gregor Brown is an experienced cycling journalist, based in Florence, Italy. He has covered races all over the world for over a decade - following the Giro, Tour de France, and every major race since 2006. His love of cycling began with freestyle and BMX, before the 1998 Tour de France led him to a deep appreciation of the road racing season.
-
Tech of the week: an affordable smart bike from Decathlon, a super-chunky Garmin watch, wavy carbon wheels, a carbon fork for the adventurous and pink tyres for dashing Brompton owners
A round-up of this week's new, cool tech from Decathlon, Garmin, VeloElite, No. 6 Composites and Goodyear
By Luke Friend Published
-
Tweets of the week: Peter Sagan signs up for Strictly Come Dancing
He's quick on a bike, but how good's his rumba?
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Tom Pidcock's coach leaves Ineos Grenadiers, likely to join Q36.5 Pro Cycling
Kurt Bogaerts confirmed to have left Ineos Grenadiers and is expected to imminently follow Pidcock to Swiss team along with soigneur
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Tom Pidcock signs for Q36.5 Pro Cycling after Ineos Grenadiers departure
Olympic MTB champion hails 'start of something special' in three-year deal
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Steve Cummings takes sports director role at Jayco AIUla after Ineos Grenadiers departure
'It’s an opportunity to be part of a culture that celebrates growth, resilience, and meaningful results' says 43-year-old after joining new team
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'With a few changes, it'll be class' - Josh Tarling optimistic about Ineos Grenadiers future
'Everybody wants to get better and get back to winning,' 20-year-old tells audience at Rouleur Live
By Tom Davidson Published
-
'We've had a difficult year, I've had a difficult year' - Tom Pidcock hints at Ineos Grenadiers tension
Speaking at Rouleur Live, the 25-year-old also revealed that he hasn't enjoyed racing at the last two Tours de France
By Adam Becket Published
-
Ineos Grenadiers to partner with German development team for 2025
Ineos set to partner with German Continental squad Lotto Kern-Haus PSD Bank as an official development partner
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Where next for Ineos Grenadiers, now Steve Cummings has officially left?
After the Director of Racing's exit, the Tom Pidcock saga needs a final resolution before the team can move forward
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Ineos' Director of Racing, Steve Cummings, confirms he is leaving the team after not attending a race since June
Announcement comes after months of uncertainty surrounding Cummings' position
By Tom Thewlis Published