Jolanda Neff seriously injured in high-speed crash in North Carolina

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Former world champion sustains ruptured spleen, fractured rib and collapsed lung

Jolanda Neff (Trek-Segafredo)
Jolanda Neff (Trek-Segafredo) (Image credit: Getty Images)

Jolanda Neff (Trek Factory Racing) has sustained serious injuries as a result of a high-speed crash while mountain biking in the Pisgah Forest, near Brevard, North Carolina. 

Neff came off her bike at a high speed which resulted in a ruptured spleen, a fractured rib, and a collapsed lung, according to a Trek Factory Racing team press release.

"I misjudged a downhill corner on a trail that was new to me during my training ride and I went off track and over the bars, falling into a pile of logs," said Neff. 

"I immediately knew something was wrong."

In order to stop internal bleeding in her spleen, Neff's emergency medical team used a technique called embolization, which avoided the need to remove her spleen.

It's unclear what these injuries mean for Neff's preparation for the cross-country season and her Tokyo Olympic Games bid next summer.

Kirsten Frattini
Kirsten Frattini
Deputy Editor

Kirsten Frattini is the Deputy Editor of Cyclingnews, overseeing the global racing content plan.

Kirsten has a background in Kinesiology and Health Science. She has been involved in cycling from the community and grassroots level to professional cycling's biggest races, reporting on the WorldTour, Spring Classics, Tours de France, World Championships and Olympic Games.

She began her sports journalism career with Cyclingnews as a North American Correspondent in 2006. In 2018, Kirsten became Women's Editor – overseeing the content strategy, race coverage and growth of women's professional cycling – before becoming Deputy Editor in 2023.