Yesterday,

I was competing in the Army Standard Championship, I just didn't know that I would be emulating Bradley Wiggins.

After a 5 hour drive me and my other two team mates arrived at Ripon (North Yorkshire, UK). The race was a 2pm or 1400 for non civilians. So with a few hours to go before the start, after registration we decided to go for a quick spin.

As I say to my guys that train with me "the golden rule is you are responsible for not crashing into the person in front of you and don't draft on your tri bars".

So after about a mile we headed back and I decided to go hard for for a few hundred meters, which was fine, I eased off sat up and then bang.

The next thing I know is that I am lying on the road covered in blood trying to crawl to the verge so not to get hit by traffic. My team mate had gone into the back of me Unbelievable!

I to sorted the bike out picked up bits and pieces and still pumped with adrenalin managed to cycle back to the event.

I hobbled to the race medic, where a doctor insisted I went to hospital for an x-ray on my hip. My team mate seemed ok but later fainted with delayed concussion and was also taken to the same hospital.

Luckily no damage to hip, but covered in dressings -left ankle, right knee, right hip, right and left elbow, right and left shoulder and upper back. (Bike has a couple of scratches, still to look at it in detail, helmet has a large crack)

A non competing guy drove our van to the hospital with his wife following in their car, our third team member cannot drive and after the accident I wanted him to race. (he managed to get a lift home afterwards with some other guys stationed near us)

As my crash buddy had had a head injury I had to drive back that evening ( He had to leave the hospital unofficially), which was emotional. so In 20 hours, 12 hours driving 6 hours with medic & hospital 1.50 registering and prep, 10 minutes on bike (Times are approximate)

To summarize - I was due to race with my son next weekend in his first proper sprint. Triathletes are top guys when you need help, and for any novices out there, if you are going to draft stay off your tri bars.

Photos to follow