With less than one mile of racing remaining, and overall victory within his grasp, Olympian Howard Grotts (SPECIALIZED) crashed at the Breck Epic mountain bike race last week in Colorado USA, sustaining major life-threatening injuries.

The 31-year-old lost control of his bike, crashed and was emergency airlifted to hospital in Denver. According race organizer Mike McCormack, Grotts extensively damaged his back, spine, ribs, clavicle and scapula, with a lengthy, costly and challenging road to recovery ahead. A Go Fund Me has been set up to help support Grott’s family and his recovery, with almost $100,000 USD donated at press time.

The Breck Epic race, which Grotts won in 2017, is considered the toughest mountain bike stage race in North America. Covering 240 miles over six stages, the route includes 40,000 feet of vertical terrain in the rugged Rocky Mountain backcountry.

One of the most decorated American cross-country mountain bikers, the 5X USA National Champion has also won Leadville Trail 100 three times, Cape Epic twice and competed in the 2016 Olympics.

Photo Credit: @devonbaletcollective

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