3x MTB World Downhill Champion Fabien Barel, 45, of France was involved in a potentially life-changing crash while on a test ride recently. The incident left him with head trauma, fractured vertebrae and various contusions, according to an Instagram post he shared…

THAT WAS NOT PART OF THE PLAN

Life has its way of reminding us how quickly things can change.
During a recent test session, I had a heavy crash…The kind of crash that knocks you out and leaves you with no memory of what happened.

The impact left me with several fractured vertebrae, a strong head trauma, and multiple contusions. I spent few days in the hospital undergoing checks and scans, surrounded by incredible medical staff and the support of those close to me.

I’m now back home, slowly getting back on my feet. 

The next weeks will tell us if a neck surgery is needed…but I am confident it won’t be!

The road ahead is long, but I’ve always believed in moving forward, step by step, with determination. The mindset is crucial here…Believing in Life, believing in yourself…and that everything happen for a good reason!

I am different today, than I was yesterday, and than I will be tomorrow but one thing is sure…I will never give up. 

Thanks for all the love and support. It means the world.

Barel won his first UCI MTB Downhill World Championship as a Junior in 1998, then won back-to-back Elite titles in 2004-2005.

This is not the first serious crash for Barel. In 2014 he broke three ribs and his eighth vertebrae while racing in Chile, requiring a year of recovery and rehabilitation.

Since then he has been Team Director/mentor for the very successful Canyon Factory DH Team, as well working with Canyon Bicycles and Pirelli Tires to develop and test new products.

Photo Credit: Fabien Barel

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