Cape Epic winner Howard Grotz (Specialized) was admitted to a Denver, Colorado hospital Thursday after suffering multiple “serious injuries” in a crash on the final stage of the “Breck Epic” mountain bike race in Breckenridge six days ago.

He was airlifted to St. Anthony Hospital to be treated for injuries to his spine, ribs, collarbone, and scapula, race director Mike McCormack said on a GoFundMe campaign page created for Grotz.

The Durango Herald reported that Grotz, 31, of the Colorado town, was in stable condition on Monday. Cycling News has asked race organizers for an update on Grotz.

Grotz, an off-road racing pro who competes in the Lifetime Grand Prix, was the GC leader in the men's division of the six-day mountain bike stage race last Friday when he lost control of his bike and crashed. A competition medical team was on the scene, and Grotz regained consciousness and was transported by helicopter to St. Anthony's Hospital.

“About a mile from the finish, Howard lost control of his bike and sustained serious, life-threatening injuries. Our medical team responded quickly. They were at his side within minutes. Soon local EMS and Summit County Search and Rescue joined forces and their response team was ready to transport Howard,” McCormack wrote.

“Howard was airlifted to St. Anthony's in Denver, where he could be fully evaluated and treated for the extent of his injuries. His injuries were extensive, including damage to his back, spine, ribs, clavicle, and scapula.

In the sixth and final stage of the Breck Epic, Grotz had built up a lead of over 22 minutes over Zach Calton. However, just one mile from the finish of the 29-mile stage, Grotz suddenly went off course.

The pro men's field was neutralized on stage 6. Many riders stopped to assist when they encountered the crash, because they had taken the same time as stage winner Matt Pike, who was the only rider in front of Grotz at that point. Pike said he did not realize the severity of the crash but heard it.

“I heard him from behind. There were a couple of raised rocks and I thought it was the sound of pedaling, but it could have been,” Pike told Breck Epic organizers in a post-race debrief.

Pike told Breck Epic organizers after the race, “It was a good race, but I'm not sure if it was the pedals or the rocks.

Lasse Konecny described his arrival with Robbie Day: “When I pulled up, Robbie said, 'Go find someone. He was wrapped around a tree and wouldn't move. I knew there were marshals nearby.”

McCormack launched a GoFundMe campaign last weekend to support Grotz's medical expenses; as of August 22, $88,945 has been raised, with a goal set at $100,000.

Zach Calton (Yeti Cycles) finished the race as the 2024 Pro Men's Champion, but in honor of Grotz, who held the Breck Epic leader's jersey, he vacated the top step of the podium at the awards ceremony. 2nd place went to Robbie Day (Bear National Team), third was Cory Wallace (KONA Bikes), fourth was Lance Heide (Specialized/SARMVelocio/FatTire), and fifth was Chris Mailman (Endurance Threads). In the women's division, Casey Armstrong (Juliana) won, ahead of Ellen Campbell (Specialized-Rafa), Stella Hobbs (Great Northern Cycle & Ski), Andrea Dvorak (Cutaway), and Hayley Damke.

Grotz teamed with Matthew Beers to win his second Cape Epic this year; in his third season competing in the Life Time Grand Prix, he placed 10th in the Sea Otter Classic Fuego XL and 13th in the Leadville Trail 100 MTB.

“Grotz won on Wheeler's relentless steep slopes, finishing one minute ahead of stage runner-up Lance Heide,” the organizers of the Breck Epic posted on Instagram.

“Many know that Howard was seriously injured the next day, just one mile from the finish line. A GoFundMe was created to offset medical expenses related to his recovery. If you would like to learn more or donate, please visit the GoFundMe link in IG's bio.”