The celebrity chef says he is ‘looking forward to more’ after his incredible show of return to health this week
Chef and TV star Gordon Ramsay has taken a major step in his recovery after being injured in a serious bike accident – competing in an athletic event for the first time since the crash and saying he is ‘looking forward to more’. Ramsay said he was “lucky to be here” after the cycling accident in Connecticut in June last year, which left his helmet crushed.
Ramsay had been fit and active before the crash, competing in athletic events. Speaking after the crash, he said: “I couldn’t even put my f******* socks and pants on. Justin [Mandel, his assistant], he used to dress me in the morning. I felt like a f****** 95-year-old man.
“Asking a 30-year-old kid to put my f****** underpants on was embarrassing.”
Following the accident in June, Ramsay said his helmet had “saved” his life and praised doctors at the Lawrence + Memorial Hospital in New London, where he was treated. In a video posted to social media at the time, he said: “You know how much I love cycling and triathlons and Ironman (races) etc and this week, unfortunately, I had a really bad accident and it really shook me and honestly I’m lucky to be here.
“Those incredible trauma surgeons, doctors, nurses in the hospitals looked after me this week, they were amazing but honestly, you’ve got to wear helmets. I don’t care how short the journey is. I don’t care… these helmets cost money, but they’re crucial, even with a kid’s short journey, they’ve got to wear a helmet now.
“I’m lucky to be standing here. I’m in pain. It’s been a brutal week. And I’m sort of getting through it.”
On Sunday this week, Ramsay completed the Ironman 70.3 Luxembourg Remich – Région Moselle triathlon in a time of 06:52:28. He crossed the finish line ‘with enthusiasm’ after a challenging sunny day and was greeted by his wife Tana, who awarded him with his medal.
Ramsay said: “Super excited to be back, what an incredible race and well organised. From this time a year ago, it’s a dream come true. Looking forward to more races to come.”
An Ironman 70.3 triathlon is made up of a 1.9-kilometre swim, a 90-kilometre bike, and finally a 21.1-kilometre run (a half marathon). The Luxembourg Remich – Région Moselle triathlon, which is now in its 12th year is the only race on the circuit which takes athletes through three different countries; a swim in the river Moselle on the German side, a bike through the rolling vineyards of Luxembourg and France, and a run through the host city town of Remich.
Ramsay completed the one-loop swim course in the calm river waters in a time of 42:41. He then embarked on the one-loop rolling bike course, climbing approximately 750 meters elevation along the way. He completed the 90-kilometer bike course in a time of 04:10:18. Finally, Ramsay set out on the pancake flat run course along the river and was cheered home by the epic crowds as he made it onto the famous red carpet and through the finish arch.
This race marks Ramsay’s return to Ironman triathlon racing. His journey includes completing the sport’s pinnacle event – the Ironman World Championship in Kona in 2013 and Ironman 70.3 Staffordshire along with several other 70.3 races.
Over 3,000 other age-group athletes also raced at the 70.3 Luxembourg Remich – Région Moselle triathlon on Sunday.