The chance for Javier Sardá Pérez, the 2019-20 champion of the annual Ho Chi Minh City TV (HTV) Cup cycling tournament, to compete at this year’s edition is currently at stake after the Spaniard suffered broken bones during a recent training session.

Ngo Quang Vinh, deputy chairman of the Vietnam Federation of Bicycle and Motorbike Sport, confirmed on Tuesday that Pérez, currently cycling for the Ho Chi Minh City-Vinama team, had an accident while practicing in the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong on Monday morning.

“It’s unexpected for the Ho Chi Minh City-based team that Javier fell during a training session on Monday morning,” Vinh said.

“The coaching staff immediately took him to Lam Dong General Hospital for examination.”

According to the more specific account of Ho Chi Minh City-Vinama’s coach Do Thanh Dat, while training at high speed in the morning, cyclist Nguyen Thang ran into a small stone on the road, so he lost control and fell, causing Pérez to fall along with him.

“As a result, Thang suffered a broken tooth and torn lip and eyelid while Javier was initially diagnosed with a broken collarbone and shoulder bone,” Dat said.

The Ho Chi Minh City Federation of Bicycle and Motorbike Sport took the Spaniard back to the southern city later on the same day for treatment.

He was scheduled to undergo a surgery on Tuesday.

Pérez earnestly asked his coaching staff to let him compete in the 2022 HTV Cup after the surgery, according to deputy chairman Vinh. 

“When he learned that he had broken his collarbone and had to be hospitalized for surgery and might not be able to attend the HTV Cup, he cried,” Vinh said.

It remains unclear whether the Spanish cyclist’s health will be qualified for the annual national cycling tourney soon enough before it kicks off on April 5, as Ho Chi Minh City-Vinama is waiting for doctors’ conclusion before making a final decision, according to coach Dat.

The HTV Cup tourney has been held annually since 1989 and is considered Vietnam’s ‘Tour de France’ as it takes about 100 cyclists through multiple stages from north to south in celebration of the Southeast Asian country’s reunification on April 30, 1975.

Javier Sardá Pérez won the most prestigious yellow jersey of the cup with VUS and Ho Chi Minh City-Vinama in 2019 and 2020, respectively.

This year, the tourney will cover 2,316.2 kilometers in 23 stages, taking place from April 5 to 30, the HTV announced on March 23.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!