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Performance Q&A The big cycling questions answered by our team of expert coaches, nutritionists and riders

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WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I BANG MY HEAD WHILE CYCLING?

Awareness around mild traumatic brain injury is on the rise, with Jonas Vingegaard and Luke Rowe two high-profile cases within cycling in recent seasons. But what is professional cycling doing to deal with concussion cases? And what should you do if you suffer a bang to the head when you're out on a training ride, for instance?

British rider Lizzy Banks came to the sport late but had been making up for lost time, winning two stages at the Giro d'Italia Women. She was also on track to represent Team GB on the road at the delayed Tokyo Olympics. But 30km into 2021's Strade Bianche Donne, the then-30-year-old went down in a crash that would change everything, flipping over the handlebar and landing on her neck.

"When you have a crash involving the neck area, you lie there for a second and think, 'Have I broken my neck? Can I move?' After 30 seconds to a minute, you sit up, but I do remember seeing stars. Before you know it, there's a mechanic with a new bike."

Banks' racing instinct meant she was straight back in the saddle and didn't hang around to get checked by a medical professional. She completed the remaining 100km, finishing 48th, then spent the next 48 hours travelling home from Siena to Sheffield. Little did she know she was suffering the early stages of concussion.

"There were all these signs I didn't realise at the time. I missed my flight – I've never missed a flight before – and I was distraught. Waiting for my train home, I was standing on the platform and the lights on the notice board seemed brighter than usual. I got a call from my sports director, who wasn't at the race, and she said, 'Are you okay? I've seen your helmet and it's destroyed'. I said, 'I think I'm okay. I'll be careful. I know what to look out for'.