Search
shop

Alex Yee suffers big bike crash at Cagliari ITU World Cup

"Get well soon" thoughts go out to Great Britain Junior, Alex Yee, who suffered a truly horrible high-speed bike crash at the Cagliari ITU World Cup
Chief Correspondent
Last updated -
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

Broken ribs, vertebrae and punctured lung for fast rising British star in Italy

Barely a week ago we were reporting in a stunning running performance from the European and World Junior Duathlon champion, Alex Yee.

Not such good news this week for the uber-runner, who suffered a horrible bike crash at the Cagliari ITU World Cup Triathlon race on Sunday.

Great Britain’s Paul Groves – who was working at the event as one of the on-site commentary team – called me this morning with an update having been visiting Alex in hospital, and he has suffered broken ribs and a punctured lung. Paul said he is in “remarkably good spirits”, and when visited in hospital after the race by the Italian Federation President, the first thing he asked was who had won the race.

He’ll be in hospital for a few days at least due to the lung issue, which needs to be resolved before flying.

Sincere best wishes to Alex Yee who as well as being a fine athlete is also a very impressive young man.

[UPDATE] – we’ve also received a formal statement from British Triathlon:

Statement on Alex Yee bike crash, Cagliari ITU Triathlon World Cup

Alex Yee suffered a high-speed bike crash during the 2017 Cagliari ITU Triathlon World Cup in Italy yesterday (Sunday). British team physio, Lyndsey Townsend, was first on the scene after he came off his bike and hit a bollard. Alex received emergency care on site before being taken to a specialist trauma hospital.

Alex’s injuries, which include broken ribs, vertebrae and a pneumothorax (collapsed lung), require that he remains in hospital for the next few days along with Lyndsey Townsend. Having briefly lost consciousness, protocols on concussion are being followed.

Alex is receiving a very high level of care and it is hoped that he will be able to return home in the next few days. He was due to take A level examinations this week, but the immediate priority is that he is well enough to travel home.

The British Triathlon medical support team and Alex’s parents have been kept fully up to date with his condition, and we all wish him a speedy recovery.

Brendan Purcell, 5 June 2017

John Levison
Written by
John Levison
TRI247's Chief Correspondent, John has been involved in triathlon for well over 30 years, 15 of those writing on these pages, whilst he can also be found commentating for events across the UK.
Discover more
Caroline Pohle Lena Meissner ironman 703 jonkoping sprint 2025
PremiumHow to pace a triathlon to leave it all out there WITHOUT blowing up
FORM Smart Swim 2 PRO lens close up
FORM Smart Swim Pro 2 Goggles review: can these high tech goggles actually help you to train smarter and swim faster?
Premium‘The difference from triathlon is so big – there’s no comparison’: Maya Kingma on life in the Women’s WorldTour peloton
Laura Siddall Challenge Roth 2025 finish line
PremiumLaura Siddall: 10 things I’ve learned from my professional triathlon career
TRIFIT VORTEX tri suit
The small but mighty tri brand you NEED to know about: Why TRI-FIT are on a mission to disrupt the triathlon apparel scene
latest News
Julia Skala end of Norseman 2025
“A fight for self-worth, strength and healing,” Julia Skala on world’s toughest triathlon
Steve McKenna got the win at the 40th edition of IRONMAN New Zealand.
Star IRONMAN athlete clocks a sub-2:20 marathon – and says there’s more to come
Sam Long St George 2024 photo credit Getty Images for IRONMAN
‘Yo Yo Yo – London is calling’ – Sam Long the latest big name added to stellar T100 start lists
Kristian Grue wins Norseman 2025
Norseman 2025: Grue and Skala conquer ‘Zombie Hill’ and the world’s TOUGHEST triathlon
Hayden Wilde happy T100 Singapore 2025
Hayden Wilde – is he BACK for T100 London after injury nightmare?
triathlon on your terms
Never miss out with our triathlon alerts & digest. Get a dose of adventure & inspiration with Boundless.
The 247 Group

The home of endurance sports

TRI247-LOGO_Primary-Black_RGB-1

CHOOSE YOUR MEMBERSHIP TO BECOME PART OF SOMETHING EPIC

We’re on a mission to elevate the world of endurance sport, becoming your go-to resource for expert training tips and inspiration, unbiased reporting and creating a platform for grassroots voices. But we can’t do it without you on board! Choose a TRI247+ membership option below and become part of something epic.

£7.95/month

Unlimited access. No ads. A whole library of tips, advice and inspiration at your finger tips, and the chance to shape the future of triathlon journalism.

100+ new articles/month

You’ll also gain access to our other premium websites:

Have an account? Sign in

£47.95/year
£95.40/year

50% Discount

100+ new articles/month

Unlimited access. No ads. A whole library of tips, advice and inspiration at your finger tips, and the chance to shape the future of triathlon journalism.

You’ll also gain access to our other premium websites:

Have an account? Sign in

Share to...