Eiya Hashimoto suffered a crash during the Japanese Keirin racing series on Friday, resulting in a broken collarbone and a concussion. He is scheduled to undergo surgery this week.
Unfortunately, the timing of the injury, so close to the start of the 2024 UCI Track Champions League this Saturday (23 November) in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, means that Hashimoto will not be able to participate in this year’s series.
After careful consideration, it has been decided that the Men’s Endurance category will race with 17 riders instead of the full 18, as Hashimoto will be unable to return during the series. All other categories will proceed with their usual complement of 18 riders.
Hashimoto, the 2024 double Asian Games champion (Omnium and Team Pursuit), had a stellar 2023 UCI Track Champions League season. He triumphed in the Scratch race during Round 1 in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, taking the lead in the Endurance standings. He held onto his lead after Round 2 in Berlin, Germany, with a second-place finish in the Elimination race, eventually finishing the series in sixth place of the Men's Endurance league with 93 points.
We wish Eiya a speedy recovery!
Eiya Hashimoto (Japan) and Will Tidball (Great Britain) competing during the Men's Scratch Race in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines / UCI Track Champions League 2023
