Roma Nani, in Dakar Rally 2022.JULIEN DELFOSSE (Europa Press)
Nani Roma, twice winner of the Dakar Rally, the first on a motorcycle, in 2004, the second in a car, ten years later, suffers from cancer.
The 50-year-old pilot from Folgueroles, in the province of Barcelona, had a malignant tumor detected in his bladder a few days ago.
"It is treatable and the prognosis is good," he explains in a letter sent to the media.
The athlete, one of the benchmarks in the car category of the Dakar in the last decade, assures that he is well and in good spirits after a first surgical intervention: “I am aware that after facing many challenges, now I must focus on the most important of all of them.
I have a few hard months ahead of me, of treatment, ”he adds in a video posted on Instagram.
The pilot visited the doctor a few days ago after what he describes as "unusual back pain".
He thought that he could be suffering from an episode of kidney stones, but after undergoing different tests, the tumor was detected.
"Fortunately, due to the pain, the tumor was caught early and is fully treatable," he adds.
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In a few days, Roma will start a systemic chemotherapy treatment and a few weeks later he will undergo a new surgery, according to Dr. José Placer, a urologist at the Quirón Dexeus Hospital in Barcelona.
Dr. Joan Carles Galcerán, a specialist in oncology at the Vall d'Hebron Hospital, where he underwent his first surgical intervention, and Dr. Albert Carrión, a specialist in urology, will carry out the follow-up and investigation of his case, unusual for his condition and age, being a young, healthy and non-smoker person.
“After a recovery period I look forward to getting back in the seat of my Hunter with more enthusiasm than ever.
Together with Lluís Capdevila, my coach, and the doctors from the Sant Cugat CAR, we are devising a training and nutrition plan to maintain strength and motivation during this period, and arrive as strong as possible for the operation”, explains the man himself. sportsman.
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Dr. Placer, one of his trusted doctors, spoke in the same line: "Unfortunately, Nani will have to be away from competition for a season, but surely his will, tenacity and physical strength will make him be at the controls of his car in Less than we think."
Roma, 2019 Dakar runner-up, concludes his statement with a hopeful message: “Unfortunately, life sometimes gives us unpleasant surprises, but I know that I am surrounded by the best family and friends.
I look forward to sharing good news very soon!”
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