Steve Tilford raced the UCI race, but is representing the interests of Masters in his latest op-ed. 2016 Jingle Cross Day 1, Elite Men. © A. Yee / Cyclocross Magazine
Bike racing legend, occasional Cyclocross Magazine contributor, and Cyclocross National Champion Steve Tilford was involved in a serious bike accident on Friday on a weekly Topeka, Kansas ride.
As reported on stevetilford.com by Vincent Davis, just before a sprint point on the group ride, a dog crossed the road in front of Tilford while the group was riding at 30mph. Tilford crashed after hitting the dog, and remained unconscious for approximately 10 minutes.
Multiple CT scans revealed a “star-burst fracture in the back of his skull, a small subarachnoid bleed with a very small (3mm) shift, and some frontal lobe contusions.”
Another rider, Bill Stolte, crashed into Tilford, and suffered fractured ribs and a collapsed lung.
Davis continues to update Tilford’s blog with the latest on Tilford’s condition but requests privacy out of respect for the healing Tilford’s need for rest and recovery at this time.
Davis reports that Tilford was not wearing a helmet, and states, “He may be pissed at us for posting this when he’s all better, but seriously, wear your helmets. We don’t know if it will change his decisions in the future, but please let it change yours.”
Read more about the incident here.
It’s one too many visits to the doctor for Tilford, who just last Wednesday had a knee procedure and already planned to have a health check up last Friday.
Our thoughts and prayers are for a speedy recovery for Tilford and all involved.
Drop a (positive) comment below if you want to offer some kind words for the champion. We’ll make sure he hears them, or sees them when he’s ready to look at a screen.
Heal fast Steve!
