A day after he crashed badly and fractured his hip in the Tour of Taiwan, the UnitedHealthcare pro team has confirmed a better-than-anticipated prognosis for Martyn Irvine and said that there is ‘a very good chance’ that he will be able to return to racing this year.
Team doctor Michael Roshon today received a copy of Irvine’s X-rays, taken after he crashed on yesterday’s fourth stage of the Tour of Taiwan. He confirmed that the operation was a successful one and that he would be able to leave Taiwan in the coming days.
“Martyn suffered a proximal femur fracture during Stage 4 of the Tour de Taiwan on Thursday, March 21, and had surgery later that evening,” he said. “The initial surgery was successful and he is now recovering well and in good spirits. We expect him to have an uncomplicated recovery and he should not require any further surgery.
“Martyn will be heading home to Ireland within the next 4 days or so, and with a bit of luck, there is a very good chance he will return to racing this season.”
Irvine is in his first year with the Pro Continental team. Last month he took silver in the individual pursuit at the track world championships in Minsk, Belarus, then won gold in the scratch race.
It was Ireland’s first gold medal in the track worlds in over a century.
According to UnitedHealthcare general manager and team director Mike Tamayo, there has been a strong show of support for the rider. “The outpouring of well wishes for Martyn has been incredible. Again, we appreciate and thank everyone who has taken time to extend their thoughts in support of Martyn at this time,” he said.