LANCE Armstrong has fractured his right collar-bone in a crash during the Vuelta of Castilla and Leon race in Spain, putting in doubt his comeback to professional cycling.
Armstrong said last night he would fly to the United States and meet with medical experts to decide whether he needs surgery, leaving in question his participation in the Tour de France in July. "We'll go from there," he said. "I think for the Tour i
t's a very big problem."
In a statement released later, the 37-year-old Armstrong said he had "been lucky to avoid one of the most common cycling injuries" in his 17-year career.
"The crash has put my upcoming calendar in jeopardy, but the most important thing for me right now is to get back home and rest up and begin my rehab," he added.
Armstrong was knocked off his bike during a pile-up in the first stage of the race yesterday and was taken to a hospital by ambulance. The American, who crashed about 20kms from the stage's finish, was grimacing and trying to hold his right arm as he entered the ambulance.
"The collarbone is broken and I have a little bit of road-rash abrasions," Armstrong said as he left Valladolid University Hospital. "I've never had this happen before, it's pretty painful. I feel really miserable."
X-rays confirmed that Armstrong had fractured his right collarbone.
Astana team leader Johan Bruyneel said that there were no complications in the break, and suggested that Armstrong could be back riding soon.
"Clean collar-bone fracture," Bruyneel said. "Should be fast recovery."
Later, Armstrong's Astana teammate, Levi Leipheimer, described the massive pile-up on his Twitter feed.
"Lance was involved in a huge crash as the road narrowed and became very rough," Leipheimer wrote. "He wasn't far from the front, as he was riding top ten all day."
Armstrong, who is scheduled to compete in the Giro d'Italia from 9-30 May, is also preparing for the Tour de France from 4-26 July.
"Toward the end of the race people started getting excited, a bit of wind, some hills and everybody wanting to be at the front," the American said.
"A couple of guys crashed in front of me, I crossed my wheel, then I hit them and over the top."
After falling off his bike, Armstrong sat in the grass beside the road with his right shoulder slumping and his wrist resting on his right thigh. When help arrived, he motioned toward his right shoulder.
Armstrong eventually walked to the ambulance and climbed into the back.
After initially being taken to the Rio Carrion hospital in Palencia, Armstrong was taken to the hospital in Valladolid.
"You know, that's cycling. It's nobody's fault, crashes happen all the time," Armstrong said.
Armstrong is making a comeback to cycling and is riding with the Astana team as he prepares for another possible shot at a Tour de France title. He had not raced in Spain for five years.
After a three-year retirement, Armstrong started his comeback at the Tour Down Under in Australia in January, where he finished 29th overall, 49secs behind winner Allan Davis, of Australia.
He then finished seventh in the Tour of California in February. "Now is not the time to ask (about a return to racing)," Armstrong said. "I need to relax for a couple of days, fix the problem and then make plans."
The mainly flat first stage of the Castilla and Leon covered 176 kms (109 miles) from Paredes de Nava to Baltanas. It was won by Joaquin Sobrino Martinez, of Burgos Monumental, in 4hrs 31mins 53secs after a sprint finish.
He was followed by David Vitoria, of Rock Racing, and Jose Joaquin Rojas, of Caisse d'Epargne.
The full article contains 636 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
