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Lennard Kämna (archive photo) thanked everyone for the support after his serious accident in Tenerife

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Nico Vereecken / Panoramic International / IMAGO

Professional cyclist Lennard Kämna is making progress in his health after his serious training accident on Tenerife. The 27-year-old German's condition has improved so much that he was able to leave the intensive care unit, his German team Bora-hansgrohe announced on Sunday. »Lennard has taken a huge step. The fact that he can now be transferred to the normal ward is very good news,” team manager Ralph Denk was quoted as saying.

Meanwhile, Kämna spoke up for the first time after his accident on Instagram and thanked him for “all the messages of support and encouragement.” That means the world to him “in these challenging times,” Kämna wrote in an Instagram story. He hopes to be back quickly.

Kämna, who has already won stages in the three major tours Tour de France, Giro d'Italia and Vuelta, suffered, among other things, injuries to his chest, specifically a severe chest trauma, with rib fractures and a bruised lung.

According to the racing team, an oncoming vehicle took the right of way when turning Kämna last Wednesday. Kämna was traveling with the training group at the time. No other drivers or carers were involved in the accident.

Kämna had been preparing in the training camp for his start at the Giro, where the former junior world champion was supposed to ride in the overall classification from May 4th. Due to the accident, his participation in the Tour of Italy is almost impossible.

ngo/dpa