Lodwick unscathed in car-bike crash

World Champion nordic nombined skier Todd Lodwick learned Wednesday that watching the Tour de France can be as dangerous as competing. The U.S. Ski Team athlete was involved in a car-bike collision while riding back from spectating at a Tour stage.
World Champion nordic nombined skier Todd Lodwick learned Wednesday that watching the Tour de France can be as dangerous as competing. The U.S. Ski Team athlete was involved in a car-bike collision while riding back from spectating at a Tour stage.

Cycling back to Albertville after watching the early portion of stage 17 of the Tour on the Col de Les Saisies, Lodwick rounded a corner and while swerving to miss a stopped vehicle, collided head on with a car.

Lodwick made a dramatic return from retirement at the age of 31 last season to win two World Championship gold medals.

While he did suffer some bumps and bruises in the crash, Lodwick is in good condition. He was treated and released from an Albertville, France hospital. He will now rest before returning to the states.

“The crash happened very quickly, but I am happy to be uninjured, which is more than I can say for the car or my bike,” Lodwick said. “I am looking forward to getting to my family, resting up a bit and then heading back into the training season.”

Members of the U.S. Nordic Combined Ski Team are in France not only to watch the Tour, but also to train. They have been jumping with international teams in Courchevel while also taking in legs of the Tour. The Team will remain in France for another week.