Ronan Augè Returns to Bordeaux Following Crash in Malaysia
Return to Bordeaux After Malaysia Crash
French cyclist Ronan Augè returned to Bordeaux on Tuesday, October 20, following an intercontinental medical flight from Malaysia, where he suffered severe injuries in a race crash earlier in the month.
-
Key Clinical Takeaways:
- Ronan Augè was discharged from a Malaysian hospital on October 20, after being treated for multiple fractures, a pneumothorace, and a traumatic brain injury sustained on October 2.
- The Unibet Rose Rockets rider completed his repatriation to France on a stretcher accompanied by a medical doctor and a nurse via Singapore on an Air France flight.
- Augè faces a prolonged rehabilitation program in Bordeaux, which includes addressing facial nerve damage that has left the left side of his face temporarily paralyzed.
Hospital Discharge and Medical Repatriation
Augè left the hospital in Malaysia on Tuesday, October 20, after spending weeks in care following a crash on October 2 during the sixth stage of the Tour de Langkawi. Medical teams initially placed the Unibet Rose Rockets rider in a medically induced coma to stabilize his condition. His injuries included multiple fractures to his skull, a vertebra, a femur, an elbow, and fingers, alongside a pneumothorace and severe head trauma.
Following his awakening and stabilization, the athlete made the journey back to Bordeaux via a long intercontinental flight. Arranged by Air France with a layover in Singapore, the repatriation required Augè to travel on a stretcher under the direct supervision of an accompanying doctor and nurse. Upon arrival in France, he immediately entered the next phase of his recovery process, which begins with an upcoming week of thorough medical examinations in Bordeaux to assess his structural and neurological injuries.
Augè Faces Facial Paralysis but Keeps Athletic Goals
Among the lingering challenges from the crash is a damaged facial nerve that has resulted in left-sided facial paralysis. Addressing his condition with characteristic humor, Augè joked about the partial paralysis following his return to France, remarking that he might have a new career because he looks like a clown, while confirming that fifty percent of his face remains temporarily blocked.
His team, Unibet Rose Rockets, confirmed that despite the severity of the trauma, the rider’s long-term athletic ambitions remain unchanged. Team representatives stated that his primary goal is to complete his physical re-education and return to professional competition in 2027, wearing the Unibet kit once again.
Rehabilitation Timeline Leading to 2027
The immediate schedule for Augè involves rigorous neurological and physical assessments in Bordeaux throughout the week following his return. Once clinical teams clear him through these diagnostic evaluations, a structured rehabilitation protocol will target his fractured bones and nerve regeneration. The explicit objective shared by both the athlete and his team is a full return to professional cycling by the 2027 racing season.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational and scientific communication purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider regarding any medical condition, diagnosis, or treatment plan.