Lukas Nerurkar Suffers Multiple Injuries After Cycling Crash, EF Education-EasyPost Confirms

British professional cyclist Lukas Nerurkar sustained multiple fractures and a lung puncture after being struck by a vehicle during a training ride in England on July 2, according to a medical update from his team, EF Education-EasyPost. The 22-year-old rider, who joined the UCI ProTeam in 2021, is undergoing recovery after a two-night hospital stay and surgery for a dislocated and broken collarbone.

Crash Details and Medical Updates

The incident occurred on July 2 while Nerurkar was training at home in England, following his participation in the British National Championships. EF Education-EasyPost confirmed the rider suffered a fractured sternum, broken vertebra, broken rib, and a small puncture in one lung. A team statement cited the “distal” portion of his collarbone—closest to the shoulder—as requiring complex surgical intervention due to ligament damage.

“It’s not just been putting a plate in,” Nerurkar said in a statement released by the team. “There’s quite a few ligaments around there which have been damaged, so they’ve had to do some work as well.” The team’s head doctor, Jon Greenwell, estimated a six- to eight-week recovery period, with the punctured lung expected to heal without additional intervention.

Impact on Racing Schedule

Nerurkar expressed disappointment over the disruption to his season, noting he had been “really looking forward to” races in Austria and Poland. “The longer term of missing out on the racing which I was really looking forward to doing. Races like Austria and Poland and just using up a nice bit of summer form, which obviously won’t be happening now,” he said.

The rider, who turned professional in 2021 after winning a stage at the 2023 Giro Next Gen, has previously faced injury setbacks. In 2023, he missed time after breaking his jaw and suffering a concussion at the Trofeo Laigueglia. His recent form included top-10 finishes in June, including an eighth-place result at the GP Gippingen.

Recovery Process and Timeline

Nerurkar is currently engaging in short walks with family and his dog as part of his rehabilitation. The team emphasized the complexity of his injuries, with the collarbone surgery requiring more time than a “straightforward” fracture. “With a straightforward collarbone fracture, it’s a matter of weeks, but this time I might have to wait a little bit longer,” he said.

EF Education-EasyPost has not yet commented on the circumstances of the crash, including whether the driver was identified or if legal action is underway. The team’s medical update did not specify whether Nerurkar will compete in the remainder of the 2024 season.