Lotto's Menten to seek mental coach after witnessing Ezra Caudell’s horror Philadelphia crash

Caudell, aged 19, remains in hospital after suffering what his Modern Adventure Pro Cycling team described as “multi-system trauma” in Sunday’s race. He was knocked unconscious in the incident, which also brought down Lotto-Intermarché rider Menten.

Menten has now given a detailed account of the moments leading up to the crash and the immediate aftermath.

“About halfway through the race, Ezra and I wanted to bridge across to the breakaway,” Menten told Belgian newspaper HLN. “We got to within ten metres of the final rider when he looked behind to see how big our advantage over the peloton was.”

According to Menten, Caudell then lost control before hitting a roadside obstacle.

“Unfortunately, Ezra lost his balance and his front wheel hit either the kerb or a drain,” Menten said. “His front wheel broke and he went straight into a lamppost. He took me down with him.”

Menten said he immediately realised the American’s injuries were serious.

“I was in a lot of pain myself, but I could see straight away that it was bad. He just wasn’t moving.”

The Belgian said medical assistance initially took time to arrive because there were very few spectators at that point of the course. A woman who identified herself as a doctor eventually came to their aid and helped move Caudell safely before emergency services transported both riders to hospital.

Modern Adventure issued its first public update on Tuesday, saying Caudell remained hospitalised and was receiving treatment for multiple injuries.

“Ezra remains hospitalised and is actively receiving care for multi-system trauma he sustained as a result of his crash at the Philadelphia Cycling Classic,” the team said.

“He has an incredible team working diligently and family at his bedside. We are grateful for the thoughts and ongoing outpouring of support.”

Menten said he later spoke with Caudell’s team and had been given more information about the American’s condition.

“It’s not going very well with him,” Menten said. “He is stable, but his lungs and bones have been badly affected. What concerns them most is the damage to his brain. Only when they bring him out of the induced coma will they be able to give a real update. I hope for him and his family that everything turns out well.”

The severity of the incident has also taken an emotional toll on Menten, who said he had never previously experienced such a serious crash from such close range.

“It’s the first time I’ve experienced something like this so closely,” he said. “I’m planning to see a mental coach to talk about it.”

Menten escaped with comparatively minor injuries. The 29-year-old said he suffered whiplash and damage to a ligament, but considers himself fortunate given the condition of the rider beside him.

“Physically I’m doing pretty well,” Menten said. “I have whiplash and a ligament has been affected, but apart from that I’ve been very lucky. Especially when I see the state Ezra is in.”

Caudell is regarded as one of the most promising young American road riders. The Georgia native finished fourth in the under-23 road race at the US national championships in June and followed that with seventh place in the elite men’s road race the next day.

He has also spent part of the 2026 season racing in Europe. Caudell was the youngest rider on the start list at Paris-Roubaix in April, finishing 121st on his debut, and later competed at the Arctic Race of Norway and the Tour of Denmark.

He rides for Modern Adventure Pro Cycling, the US team founded by former Tour de France stage winner George Hincapie.

Sunday’s Philadelphia Cycling Classic marked the return of one of the best known races in American cycling after a decade long absence, with Lidl-Trek’s Tim Torn Teutenberg winning the 2026 edition.