Spanish Cyclist Jaume Guardeno in Intensive Care After Training Collision With Vehicle

Spanish cyclist Jaume Guardeno is in intensive care after suffering serious injuries in a collision with a vehicle during a training ride on Tuesday, his professional team has confirmed.

The 23-year-old, who rides for the Caja Rural-Seguros RGA squad, was airlifted by helicopter to Tauli Hospital in Sabadell, a city in northeastern Spain. He was placed in an intensive care unit with serious injuries and is currently awaiting further evaluation by medical staff, the team said in a statement released on Thursday.

Spanish media reported that Guardeno lost control of his bicycle after hitting a rock on the road, which led to him colliding with an oncoming car. He is reported to have sustained a head injury in the crash, though no official medical details have been released by the hospital or his team.

Guardeno finished 29th in the Tour of Catalonia last week, a week-long World Tour stage race that serves as an important early-season test for many climbers and all-rounders. He also placed 14th overall in last year's Vuelta a Espana, one of cycling's three Grand Tours, where he showed promising climbing ability and consistency against the sport's top names.

Following his impressive performance at the Vuelta, the promising young rider had been in contention to make his Tour de France debut this year, a goal that would have marked a significant milestone in his developing career. The crash now casts doubt on his participation in upcoming races, though his immediate health remains the primary concern.

His team expressed full support and strength to Guardeno and his family during this difficult time, wishing him a speedy and full recovery. No further updates on his condition have been provided, and the team has asked for privacy as medical evaluations continue.