Bradley Wiggins (Team Sky) has been released from hospital and returned home, his team has confirmed. The Tour de France winner, and Olympic champion, was hit by a car while out training at around six o’clock yesterday evening but, despite fears that he had sustained broken ribs, it transpires that he suffered only bruises.
Wiggins was kept in overnight at the Royal Preston Hospital as a precaution, but has now returned home to recuperate with his family. As well as the rib injury, he is reported to have also bruised his hand; he is not expected to experience any longterm problems.
“Bradley has been discharged from hospital after suffering minor injuries, including bruises to his right hand and ribs, but is expected to make a full and speedy recovery,” confirmed Team Sky’s Doctor Richard Freeman. “He is now going to spend the weekend at home convalescing with his family.”
Details of the incident are still not entirely clear, but it is known that Wiggins was struck by a white Vauxhall Astra as it pulled out of a filling station forecourt. The woman driving the car was not arrested, but will have been spoken to by Lancashire Police today. The incident happened on a main road through the village of Wrightlington, Lancashire, just three miles from Wiggins’ home in Eccleston.
Wiggins was photographed by the media, as he left the hospital, and he was pictured raising his middle finger to them as the car pulled away.
Although it has been announced that Wiggins has sustained no fractures, it is not yet clear how much the incident will affect his preparation for the 2013 season, which is reportedly just beginning. The Tour winner has announced his intention to target the Giro d’Italia next season, and the earlier peak will require him to begin his specific training earlier.
If the 32-year-old’s - albeit minor - injuries do disrupt his upcoming training plans in any way, he may find himself having to change his 2013 plans.
In an entirely unrelated incident, Great Britain and Team Sky coach Shane Sutton was involved in a road accident in the Lancashire area this morning; the Australian remains in hospital where is is undergoing further tests after suffering concussion.