It's a hot Saturday morning in mid-May, and all eyes are fixed upon the starting line. Although helmets obscure the athletes' chiseled faces, each rider exudes the fierce determination that has already brought him this far. Here to compete for one of the sport's most coveted titles, these champions from across the country dig in and eagerly await the starting pistol.
Suddenly, the delayed crackle of the gun and a lofting pillar of smoke is all that is left of the pack 40 riders strong. Colors streak across the track as each athlete pushes himself to the limit --and then-- catastrophe strikes!
In a group behind the pack, a rider goes down, and someone in the crowd hears a distinct cracking, like a potato chip crushed underfoot. Which can only mean one thing...
...a broken clavicle?
No, you're not reading another article about Kentucky Derby winner and Preakness favorite Barbaro, who suffered a devastating ankle injury at last Saturday's race. Alas, another great victory has been thwarted...as Sara's cycling season came to an early end Saturday the 13th in Lawrence, Kansas.
Mere coincidence or a carefully planned conspiracy? Consider the following:
A. Both Sara and Barbaro were heavy favorites to win their respective races.
B. Both Sara and Barbaro underwent surgery at a University of Pennsylvania hospital (Barbaro at the New Bolton Center for Large Animals at the University of Pennsylvania).
C. Both Sara and Barbaro were fitted with metal implants to stabilize their broken bones.
D. When asked about the severity of the injuries, both Sara's and Barbaro's doctors replied, "You do not see this severe injury frequently because the fact is most horses [cyclists] that suffer this typically are put down on the race track." (see Wikipedia)
As far as I can tell, there's only one major difference:
The indomitable Sara finished her race. ¡Qué bárbaro!
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