Mikkel Bjerg suffers serious damage after collision with kangaroo

Mikkel Bjerg’s cycling season has started on a sour note. The Dane was involved in a bizarre crash caused by a kangaroo during the final stage of the Santos Tour Down Under and suffered multiple fractures.

The 27-year-old UAE Emirates XRG rider went down with just under a hundred kilometers to go, shortly after a kangaroo ran onto the road. The marsupial’s unexpected action caused several riders to crash, including the GC leader and Bjerg’s teammate Jay Vine, as well as Dutch rider Menno Huising from Visma | Lease a Bike.

Vine was able to continue and later secured the overall victory. However, Bjerg, Huising, Alberto Dainese (Soudal Quick-Step), and Lucas Stevenson (Australian national team) had to abandon the race.

Multiple Fractures
Bjerg’s injuries are serious. The multiple-time U23 time trial world champion is suffering from a fracture in the acromioclavicular joint (between the shoulder blade and collarbone) and a broken hand. This has been confirmed by his team UAE Emirates XRG to the Danish newspaper DR Sporten.

It is still unclear how long the Dane will be sidelined and when he can wear a race number again, but his planned participation in the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race (February 1) now seems unrealistic. It is also highly doubtful whether he will be able to compete in the upcoming UAE Tour, which starts on February 16.