Simon Cowell was riding 'fastest bike on earth' when he broke his back
EXCLUSIVE: The X Factor boss was riding a powerful electric bike dubbed the 'fastest on earth' when he fell and broke his back, leading to an emergency six-hour operation
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Simon Cowell was riding a powerful electric bike dubbed “the fastest on earth” when he broke his back, we can reveal.
Contrary to previous reports online, the X Factor judge had bought a Swind EB-01 bike, the latest in a number of electric bikes he has purchased, but one which is incredibly speedy.
The Swind company website boasts: “Delivering a staggering 15kW of electric power, this is the most technically advanced and powerful electric bicycle on the market.”
And in a review of the bike, Wallpaper magazine called it “the fastest electric bike on earth” which is “a tech toy for thrill-seekers”.
The review in 2018 went on to say “the EB-01 has an official top speed of 60mph. With a bit of tuning and tinkering, says its designer Raphaël Caillé, it could go as fast as 80.”
Cowell is thought to have recently bought the vehicle and hinted that he may have underestimated the power of the bike.
Speaking on twitter after breaking his back in several places, he said: “Some good advice... If you buy an electric trail bike, read the manual before you ride it for the first time. I have broken part of my back.
“Thank you to everyone for your kind messages. And a massive thank you to all the nurses and doctors. Some of the nicest people I have ever met. Stay safe everyone.”
The Mirror told yesterday how Cowell fell off the bike at home in Malibu on Saturday.
He narrowly missed breaking his spinal cord “by a centimetre” which would may have meant he was paralysed but still had to endure six hours of surgery.
The fall was serious as his back was broken in three places and he required a metal rod put in to fix it during his operation.
He is now resting but is expected back on TV next month for the final stages of America's Got Talent and Britain's Got Talent.
Back in 2017, Simon sung the praises of electric bikes, after spending £60,000 on seven of them to use in both the US and UK.
He said at the time: “I've been told to exercise more. Cycling's quite boring so I decided to buy an electric bike and they're literally addictive.
“They're going to be huge because you can't really drive a car in London now.
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