Vall d’Hebron and NSN Cycling Team sign a collaboration agreement to improve cycling injury care and recovery

Vall d’Hebron University Hospital and the NSN Cycling Team today announced a collaboration agreement to improve the care, treatment and rehabilitation of cycling-related injuries, at both professional and amateur level. The event was held as part of the lead-up activities ahead of the Tour de France departure from Barcelona this Saturday, 4 July. The city has thrown itself into establishing the bicycle as a tool for cohesion, education and urban transformation, and Vall d’Hebron is taking part in more than 70 activities planned to bring the Tour spirit to the public.

The day began with a Tour Vall d’Hebron, a symbolic ride around the hospital campus involving cyclists from the NSN team and healthcare professionals from the centre. This initiative aimed to highlight the connection between patient care and sport, as well as a shared commitment to health and to promoting healthy lifestyles. The ride took participants through the main areas of the Vall d’Hebron Campus, becoming a visual, participatory moment that symbolised the start of the collaboration between the two institutions.

This was followed by an institutional event to present the agreement, along with a panel discussion on the prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of cycling injuries. Every year, the Vall d’Hebron University Hospital treats 200 injured cyclists. Dr Albert Salazar, the hospital’s director, highlighted the importance of this agreement: “Working with a team like the NSN Cycling Team, with the involvement of a figure such as Andrés Iniesta, allows us to explore new approaches to healthcare, linking clinical expertise with the sports field. This collaboration opens up opportunities to improve the care we provide to our patients.” For his part, Andrés Iniesta underlined the value of the collaboration with Vall d’Hebron: “As a project, having the support of an institution like Vall d’Hebron is essential. This partnership will help us take better care of our athletes and build an approach grounded in health, excellence and shared knowledge.”

The presentation of the agreement was followed by a debate moderated by journalist Marcos López, with the participation of Dr Judith Sánchez-Raya, head of the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service of the Vall d’Hebron University Hospital; Dr. Joan Minguell, head of the Traumatology Service of the Vall d’Hebron University Hospital; Dr. Maarten Meirhaeghe, medical director of the NSN Cycling Team; Oscar Guerrero, sports director of the NSN Cycling Team, and Enrique Maranchón, team cyclist.

During the debate, it was highlighted that falls and injuries continue to be one of the main causes of injury among professional and amateur cyclists, with injuries ranging from fractures and muscle injuries to more complex problems requiring surgical interventions and prolonged rehabilitation processes. The most frequent injuries are fracture of the collarbone, distal radius, ribs, vertebrae and pelvis. Of these, fractures of the clavicle, distal radius and 25% of femoral lesions require surgery. The average hospital stay of patients is two days. Vall d’Hebron is also a leading centre for the treatment of spinal cord injuries and is the only hospital in Spain with a specialist surgical team on call to operate on this type of acute injury within the first 24 hours. The experts also agreed on the need to adapt treatments depending on whether they are professional or amateur athletes, given the different physical demands and competitive pressure.
Dr Joan Minguell pointed out that “cycling injuries can be very diverse, but fractures and complex traumas are especially frequent in falls. The two-way knowledge-sharing with the NSN Cycling Team’s medical staff can help us reduce complications.”

Dr Judith Sánchez-Raya highlighted that “rehabilitation is key so that patients, whether professional or amateur, can safely return to their activity. At Vall d’Hebron we work with a rehabilitation approach designed so that patients can return to their daily lives and can enjoy sports again. This collaboration will allow us to adapt treatments even more to the real needs of patients.”

From a professional perspective, Dr Maarten Meirhaeghe stressed that “from a medical point of view for a professional team, prevention and recovery are key factors in athletic performance. Working with a leading centre like Vall d’Hebron will give us access to cutting-edge knowledge. This alliance will allow us to better protect the health of our athletes.”

Óscar Guerrero stated that “injuries have a direct impact on sports planning and the trajectory of cyclists. It is essential to find the balance between competitive demands and medical criteria to ensure optimal recovery. This collaboration will help us make more informed and sustainable decisions over time.” And Enrique Maranchón pointed out that "injuries are part of sport, but being able to count on professionals specialized in prevention and recovery makes the difference. This collaboration will help us return to competition sooner and better, and also take better care of our health in the long term."

The Vall d’Hebron specialists highlighted the key role of the multidisciplinary approach, which includes not only medical and surgical treatment, but also rehabilitation, psychological support, nutrition and rest control. In this regard, they stressed that collaboration with professional teams will generate new knowledge applicable to clinical practice.

One of the central pillars of the agreement between Vall d’Hebron and NSN Cycling Team is to drive research into sports injuries, with the aim of improving prevention, diagnosis and treatment protocols. This collaboration will facilitate the exchange of information and experience between healthcare professionals from Vall d’Hebron and the NSN Cycling Team medical staff, contributing to a better understanding of injury mechanisms and recovery processes. The project aims to have an impact on both professional and amateur cyclists. The accumulated experience and knowledge generated will result in improvements in health care and the promotion of safer sports habits.