All's well that ends well... one would say! Mattia Pasini went home today after Friday's bad accident at the Ranch during the Sprint race. Regarding the incident, the rider from Romagna wanted to tell us what happened after he spent two days in the hospital in Ancona.
The Ranch's medical team was prompt in providing immediate assistance to Mattia, so that the worst could be prevented. Now, Pasini is home, in Riccione, forced to lick his wounds but with the goal of getting back on his bike soon.
"What can I say, guys. I tasted the dirt track at the Ranch, and it's nice and hard," he said, smiling."Fortunately, I'm better now. In fact, I returned home this morning after two days of hospitalization. I took quite a beating. I was out for two minutes, but then they turned the power back on."
Mattia, what happened?
"Basically, coming out of the corner of the Oval, Rabat's bike went sideways and, in straighting it back up, his rear tire slapped my front tire, sending me to the ground. Obviously, it wasn't Tito's fault, and I'd like to emphasize that. In fact, it was bad luck, as was the particularly violent impact. The fact is that I fell and hit hard, especially on the left side of my body, immediately suffering the blow."
But help arrived immediately.
"Absolutely. I wanted to emphasize the work done by the Ranch's medical team, namely Doctors Berardi and Lucidi, whom I consider my guardian angels. As a precaution, I was helicoptered to Ancona, taking my first trip in a helicopter. Once in the hospital, I then did all the tests to see whether or not there could be more serious damage."
What did it turn out to be?
"A concussion. Also, I underwent an embolization of the blood vessels and the artery above my left buttock. In the end, there was nothing in particular, and I returned home this morning."
Mattia, it could've been worse, right?
"Absolutely, because I had so many riders behind me at that time. In fact, Chareyre was miraculous in avoiding me because, if not, I don't know how it would've ended. It's too bad, that's how it went, but it could've ended worse. The important thing was definitely my AGV helmet. I'll post pictures on social media in the next few days. The helmet was outstanding in holding up to that kind of impact."
What was the first thing you saw once you opened your eyes again?
"Having seen Doctors Berardi and Lucidi. Then I talked to Vale, and, finally, I received so many messages from people to make sure of my condition. As soon as I was able to, I immediately wrote to my family so that they wouldn't worry."
What did Valentino say to you?
"Vale was happy, because he was worried, too. I'm sorry I couldn't do the one hundred kilometer, but we'll try again next year."
Mattia, where are we putting this fall?
"I had never had a ride in a helicopter, consequently, there's always a first time."