skanking biker
05-10-05, 07:52 AM
http://www.jsonline.com/news/wauk/may05/324809.asp
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Cyclist, 20, critically injured in race crash
UW student Wittig also survived accident last year
By JACQUELINE SEIBEL
jseibel@journalsentinel.com
Posted: May 9, 2005
Muskego - After surviving a similar accident last spring, avid cyclist Matt Wittig was in critical condition Monday after a weekend accident during a Wisconsin Cup race in Muskego County Park, a hospital spokesman said.
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Wittig, 20, of Mequon, was breaking away from the pack of the Muskego Park Criterium when his right foot slipped out of the pedal, his right knee hit the handle bars and he was flung over the bars onto to the pavement, said Hans Higdon, fellow rider and event organizer.
Tess Corners paramedics were called to the park at 12:43 p.m. Saturday, said police Lt. John LaTour. Wittig suffered a head injury, and he was taken to Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital in Wauwatosa by Flight for Life.
A licensed U.S. Cycling Federation racer, Wittig was competing in the Category 3 division. He was probably traveling 25 to 30 mph when the accident occurred, said Higdon, president of Milwaukee's Hampshire Cycle Club, which organized the race.
Higdon was 10 to 15 feet behind Wittig in the race. "It was basically a freak accident," he said.
"You lose your nerve when you see something like that," Higdon added.
Five races already had been held, and race organizers considered canceling the remaining three scheduled races, he said. "Matt would have said to keep racing, so we did," Higdon said.
Wittig is a sophomore at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he is also an officer in the UW Cycling Club.
Club president Steve Knurr said Wittig's accident is reverberating through the cycling community, a close-knit group.
As the club's road season coordinator and for his love of racing, Wittig is "a very, very important part of the team and the UW cycling program," Knurr said.
"He's genuinely good and one of the most dedicated and honest people that we've had in our program," Knurr added.
Last spring, Wittig was involved in a similar accident. According to a newsletter written on Nov. 8 about the 2004 Wisconsin Cycling Association Cup awards, Wittig was honored for fighting back. It reads:
"A remarkable thing happened when recognition was given to Matt Wittig (Nova/IS Corp), who is recovering from a bad spill last spring. Matt inspired WCA by his determination to ride again and his acceptance of the award brought the crowd to its feet for a long, standing ovation. Ride on, Matt!"
"The gravity is spectacular," Knurr said of Wittig's latest accident. While the previous crash was significant, "this second crash is almost too much to comprehend."
ON WISCONSIN : JS ONLINE : NEWS : WAUKESHA : E-MAIL | PRINT THIS STORY
Cyclist, 20, critically injured in race crash
UW student Wittig also survived accident last year
By JACQUELINE SEIBEL
jseibel@journalsentinel.com
Posted: May 9, 2005
Muskego - After surviving a similar accident last spring, avid cyclist Matt Wittig was in critical condition Monday after a weekend accident during a Wisconsin Cup race in Muskego County Park, a hospital spokesman said.
Advertisement
Wittig, 20, of Mequon, was breaking away from the pack of the Muskego Park Criterium when his right foot slipped out of the pedal, his right knee hit the handle bars and he was flung over the bars onto to the pavement, said Hans Higdon, fellow rider and event organizer.
Tess Corners paramedics were called to the park at 12:43 p.m. Saturday, said police Lt. John LaTour. Wittig suffered a head injury, and he was taken to Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital in Wauwatosa by Flight for Life.
A licensed U.S. Cycling Federation racer, Wittig was competing in the Category 3 division. He was probably traveling 25 to 30 mph when the accident occurred, said Higdon, president of Milwaukee's Hampshire Cycle Club, which organized the race.
Higdon was 10 to 15 feet behind Wittig in the race. "It was basically a freak accident," he said.
"You lose your nerve when you see something like that," Higdon added.
Five races already had been held, and race organizers considered canceling the remaining three scheduled races, he said. "Matt would have said to keep racing, so we did," Higdon said.
Wittig is a sophomore at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he is also an officer in the UW Cycling Club.
Club president Steve Knurr said Wittig's accident is reverberating through the cycling community, a close-knit group.
As the club's road season coordinator and for his love of racing, Wittig is "a very, very important part of the team and the UW cycling program," Knurr said.
"He's genuinely good and one of the most dedicated and honest people that we've had in our program," Knurr added.
Last spring, Wittig was involved in a similar accident. According to a newsletter written on Nov. 8 about the 2004 Wisconsin Cycling Association Cup awards, Wittig was honored for fighting back. It reads:
"A remarkable thing happened when recognition was given to Matt Wittig (Nova/IS Corp), who is recovering from a bad spill last spring. Matt inspired WCA by his determination to ride again and his acceptance of the award brought the crowd to its feet for a long, standing ovation. Ride on, Matt!"
"The gravity is spectacular," Knurr said of Wittig's latest accident. While the previous crash was significant, "this second crash is almost too much to comprehend."