On Monday, January 27, 2025, six members of the German national track cycling team were injured in a head-on collision with a car during a training session in Palma de Mallorca, Spain. The incident occurred shortly after the team departed their hotel for a morning ride. The cyclists involved were Benjamin Boos, Tobias Buck-Gramcko, Bruno Kessler, Moritz Augenstein, Louis Gentzik, and Max-David Briese. All six were promptly transported to local hospitals with injuries including bone fractures, though none are considered life-threatening.
The driver of the vehicle, an 89-year-old man, admitted to not seeing the group of cyclists before the collision. National coach Lucas Schädlich, who was accompanying the team in a support vehicle, witnessed the accident. The German Cycling Federation has acknowledged that while the injuries are not life-threatening, the fractures sustained will necessitate extended periods of recovery, impacting the athletes’ training and competition schedules.
The local authorities are conducting an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident. Initial reports indicate that the driver tested negative for alcohol consumption.
This incident highlights ongoing concerns regarding cyclist safety, particularly during training sessions on public roads. The cycling community continues to advocate for increased awareness and measures to protect athletes during their training routines.