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Michael van den Ham hit by truck while riding in B.C.

Canadian cyclocross national champion escapes serious injury, but world championships in doubt

brico cross bredene michael van den ham

Michael van den Ham was hit from behind by a car while riding home from work on Wednesday. The two time Canadian cyclocross national champion escaped with only minor injuries, but enough to cause van den Ham to question his ability to participate in world championships in Denmark this February.

Van den Ham detailed the collision earlier today on social media, saying he was “clipped by the mirror of a truck and thrown into the ditch” while riding home from work in Abbotsford, B.C. The Garneau-Easton p/b Transitions Life Care rider is unsure of the extent of his injuries at this time, but it appears the damage is limited to bruising and “maybe a few fractured ribs.”

View this post on Instagram

On Wednesday I was hit by a car from behind. I was on my way home from work and was clipped by the mirror of a truck and thrown into the ditch. I was incredibly fortunate to escape without serious injury – just bruising a maybe a few fractured ribs in my back. Maybe it seems weird to say it, but the biggest emotion I feel is how fortunate I really am. Had I been 2ft to right, I might not be here today; had it been a curb instead of the grass ditch I was thrown into, I might be seriously injured right now. Maybe I’m just in a sentimental mood, but the old cliches have been striking me as pretty true the last couple days. Life is fragile and we need to grateful for every day. You just don’t know when you won’t be here the next. . I don’t know yet if I’ll be able to make it to the World Championships in a month, but I do know that I’m certainly going to try my best. Already one 10’ trainer ride closer today!

A post shared by Michael van den Ham (@mvdhcx) on

The Canadian is lucky to escape without more serious injuries, but is still unsure at this time if he will still be able to compete at cyclocross world championships. The 2019 championships are just weeks away, taking place on February 2-3 in Bogense, Denmark.

“I was incredibly fortunate to escape without serious injury,” said van den Ham of the incident in Instagram. “Maybe it seems weird to say it, but the biggest emotion I feel is how fortunate I really am.”

The driver of the truck stopped to make sure the Canadian champ was uninjured, and even drove van den Ham home. While it is unsettling to see another in a rising number of incidents of cyclists being injured by drivers, the respect shown between the two individuals following the collision is commendable.

Van den Ham recently returned from Belgium, where he took part in Cycling Canada’s Christmas Cross program. The Canadian competed at a string of World Cup and other events over the holiday period, including cracking into the top-20 at Brico Cross Bredene.

The Canadian closed his post on a sentimental note, saying “Life is fragile and we need to grateful for every day. You just don’t know when you won’t be here the next.”

We here at Canadian Cycling Magazine wish Michael a speedy return to full health, and look forward to seeing him between the tape again soon!