Spanish Professional Cyclist Jaume Guardeño Transferred to Neurological Rehabilitation After Severe Training Accident

Spanish professional cyclist Jaume Guardeño has been relocated from the intensive care unit to a dedicated neurological rehabilitation facility, approximately two months after a training incident involving a motor vehicle left him in a critical state. Guardeño, a rider for Caja Rural-Seguros RGA, sustained serious injuries in the collision and spent an extended period in a life-threatening condition. His team has affirmed this move to a specialized center in Barcelona, which focuses on brain and spinal cord injuries, while also extending thanks for the comprehensive medical attention provided.

The incident, which occurred on March 31, saw Guardeño airlifted to Tauli Hospital in Sabadell, Catalonia, due to the gravity of his injuries. Initial reports from Spanish media indicated that the 23-year-old lost control of his bicycle after encountering a rock on the road, subsequently colliding with a car. No further specifics regarding the crash's dynamics have been disclosed, and there is no indication that factors other than hitting the rock contributed to the accident.

Following the crash, Guardeño was admitted to intensive care, where he remained in critical condition for more than two weeks, undergoing multiple medical procedures. The team stated that on Tuesday, seven weeks after the initial incident, Guardeño was transferred to the Guttmann Clinic in Barcelona, a renowned institution for neurorehabilitation and the treatment of severe neurological damage.

Caja Rural-Seguros RGA issued a statement affirming their unwavering support and solidarity with Jaume, his family, and friends during this challenging period. They also conveyed their profound appreciation for the exceptional medical care provided during his transfer via Servimedic ambulance and throughout his stay at Parc Taulí Hospital in Sabadell. Special commendations were given to the HEMS helicopter emergency service and the critical and semi-critical care unit of the ICU, particularly Doctors Andrey Rodríguez and Guillem Gruartmoner de Vera, along with the entire neurosurgery and maxillofacial teams.

Despite the positive news of his transfer, the team did not provide additional details regarding the full extent of Guardeño’s injuries or the precise circumstances surrounding the collision. The 23-year-old Spanish climber had previously demonstrated significant promise, securing 29th place overall and third in the young riders classification at March’s Volta a Catalunya, which concluded just two days before his accident. Furthermore, Guardeño had an impressive performance at last year’s Vuelta, achieving four top-20 finishes in the final week of his home Grand Tour and ultimately placing 14th in the general classification. This breakthrough performance had made him a likely candidate for Caja Rural’s eight-rider squad for the Tour de France, where the Spanish team was scheduled to debut in July.