Paternoster suffers traumatic brain injury & collarbone fracture
The 23-year-old world champion suffered a traumatic brain injury and broke her right collarbone, Italy's cycling federation announced. The athlete had always been conscious, but could not remember the accident, "which is normal in such a case", the statement said. She spent the night in hospital.
"I try to smile and think about the big goals I still have ahead of me," Paternoster wrote at Instagram next to a selfie from her hospital bed. Her collarbone was broken in three places, she reported, "I'll be back soon."
First aid for paternosters
Paternoster had crashed together with four competitors during the elimination race. The accident occurred in the steep bend after the finishing straight, where the riders collided with each other. While the four other athletes were able to get up again after brief treatment, the world champion in this discipline received lengthy medical treatment behind a screen. The 23-year-old was given a neck brace. She was then taken out of the hall on a stretcher and taken to hospital.
The race was interrupted for first aid and repairs to the track. Earlier in the same race, there had already been a crash involving several people. However, this was a minor incident. All riders were able to leave the wooden oval on their own. Alice Sharpe from Ireland was involved in both crashes, but resumed the race on both restarts.
In the elimination race, the last rider in the field must leave the race every two laps.
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