Bernhard Eisel: Health Update
Austrian undergoes successful surgical decompression
Bernhard Eisel has undergone successful surgical decompression of a chronic subdural haematoma on the brain. The lesion was a late complication of his crash on stage 5 of the Tirreno-Adriatico earlier this year.

A chronic subdural haematoma is an accumulation of blood beneath the protective layer around the brain, the dura mater. The bleeding occurs slowly over a number of weeks and eventually the collection of clotted blood puts pressure on the brain, thereby causing symptoms. Bernie had a CAT scan of the brain immediately after his crash but no intracranial bleed was present at that time.

Bernie thought he was suffering from severe allergies late last week and was struggling to train. Upon a follow up consult by our medical team, Bernie revealed that his symptoms included a severe headache. An urgent MRI scan of the brain was ordered in light of his recent trauma, revealing the haematoma.

Surgery was required to evacuate the collection, releasing the pressure. We can confirm that the surgery was successfully carried out on Monday at the Maria Hilf Private Clinic in Klagenfurt, Austria with no complications.

We are pleased and relieved with the successful outcome of the surgery and thankful to the neurosurgical team involved. Bernie will be able to begin with light training on the turbo trainer in 2 weeks and hopefully a return to full outdoor training in 4 weeks after a follow-up MRI.

Bernhard Eisel – Rider
I can’t really say when I will be back on my bike. Firstly, I want to get healthy, take my time and if the doctors give me the go ahead I will consider when is best to return on my bike. I still enjoy riding my bike but this was a massive thing that happened to my body. If you have an operation on your brain it certainly makes you think twice about things but at the moment I will just follow the recommendations of our team doctors. At the moment I am feeling good and looking forward to leaving the hospital and spending some time with family.

Team Dimension Data For Qhubeka

Founded in 2007, Team Dimension Data for Qhubeka became the first ever African cycling team to gain a WorldTour license, in 2016. In the team’s palmares you can find a Milan-Sanremo victory, numerous stage wins at the Tour de France, Giro d’Italia and Vuelta a Espana, two Tour of Britain GC victories, and 42 National Championship titles. The team has bases in South Africa, the Netherlands and Italy. It’s also known as Africa’s Team due to its focus on helping African talents to the world stage of cycling. The team believes #BicyclesChangeLives and race to raise funds for the Qhubeka Charity which provides bicycles to people in Africa. #DoYourPart and gift a bicycle or part of a bicycle, by clicking here.

Qhubeka is an Nguni word that means “to progress”, “to move forward”. Qhubeka (qhubeka.org) partners with communities, public sector, private sector, and non-profit organisations to provide people with bicycles in return for working to improve their community, environment or school attendance.

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Learn more about the team at www.africasteam.com.

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