Ryan Cox - Barloworld Cyclist fighting for his life

One of my claims to fame was actually riding with Ryan in Johannesburg on one of the teams training rides out in the North around Dianfern and Honeydew area. This was obviously a team ride with other members of the Barloworld cycling club, but Ryan and I had a chat about a few things and he came across as a very nice guy. He has won a number of B-Grade events on the world stage - The tour De Lankawi and been in the Tour Downunder as well. I was upset to see he did not get a place in the Tour this year, and only Robbie Hunter did.
What a shame the poor guy has had this happen to him now.

Ryan Cox fighting for his life

Jul 31 2007 10:26:07:493PM


Wilhelm de Swardt

Ryan Cox, one of South Africa's top cyclists, is fighting for his life in a Gauteng hospital after the main artery in his left leg burst.

Pretoria - Ryan Cox, one of South Africa's top cyclists, is fighting for his life in a Gauteng hospital after the main artery in his left leg burst. He nearly died on three occasions on Tuesday.

Clint Curtis, who coached the Barloworld rider when he was a junior, said Cox had received several units of blood by Tuesday afternoon but his kidneys and other organs were failing.

"It does not look good; we can only hope and pray," Curtis said. "But I must say the doctors have been fantastic. Had it not been for them Ryan may have been dead already."

He also disclosed that Cox had undergone surgery in France recently after South Africa's Tour de France ace, Robert Hunter, had lent him the money for the operation.

Curtis, a good friend of the rider, said Cox had been having problems with his left leg for some time.

He sometimes lost the feeling in the leg after cycling and had little power in the leg towards the end of some races.

"Ryan then went to see one of the leading doctors in France. It was found that the artery had, as a consequence of all the cycling, become knotted as sometimes happens to a garden hose.

Concerned about the costs of the operation


"It often happens to cyclists because they spend so many hours on the bicycles, with their legs bent while pedalling.

"The doctor in France has performed surgery of this type on about 600 cyclists, among them Stuart O'Leary, who has worn the yellow jersey in the Tour de France.

"Because cyclists often do not have a medical fund, Ryan was concerned about the costs of the operation.

"Fortunately his teammate Robert Hunter offered to lend him the money to pay for surgery.

"I think the problems arose because Ryan discharged himself from hospital because he was worried about the costs. One has to remain very still after such an operation.

"Ryan then flew back to South Africa and was probably too active. He worked in his garden a lot."

Cox may have died had his brother not arrived at his home just in time to get him to hospital, Curtis said.

Cox, a two-time SA road cycling champion, also won the Giro del Capo and the Malaysian Tour de Langkawi and represented South Africa at the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne last year.

Former SA team manager Tony Harding said on Tuesday Cox had always been the type of person one could take to war.