Seattle cyclist Ian Crane, who suffered a traumatic brain injury during a crash at the USA Pro Challenge in 2014, will not return to professional cycling in 2016 after declining a chance to re-sign with his squad.
Crane told The Denver Post that he had been offered a position again with the American team Jamis (formerly Jamis Hagens-Berman), but he decided to turn it down after weighing the risks of reinjury by high-speed road racing. Jamis — with no expectations he would race — while he continued recovering after crashing chin-first through a stopped team vehicle in the event’s final stage in 2014, an accident that nearly killed him.
Crane made the .
ultimately forced his hand, despite his return to training. Hitting his head again could put him in “incredible danger,” he wrote.
“If you have a wine glass that has a crack in it, and if you bump that as you’re loading it into a dishwasher, it’s going to break. And the ones that don’t have cracks aren’t,” he said. “That’s where healing time and process is for traumatic brain injury. … I’ve recovered well and am in good health, but I have a baby brain technically now. I need to make sure I protect that as best I can.”
Although he has not ruled out the possibility of eventually racing again, his attitude has clearly shifted to considering possibilities of remaining a part of the sport in other ways.
“Road cycling and professional cycling is what I’ve been pursuing since I was 13,” he said. “It’s still, to this day, it’s what I want to do, and what I truly love and enjoy doing.”
Turnover among cycling teams was another factor. Several teams are folding after this season, and Crane wanted to offer his spot to someone looking for a team.
Daniel Petty: 303-954-1081, dpetty@denverpost.com or @danielpetty
