Head wound could jeopardise three-time Ronde runner up’s chances on Sunday
Leif Hoste (Katusha) suffered a serious crash in the first stage of the Driedaagse De Panne-Koksijde today. The Belgian crashed on the approach to the Eikenmolen, landing on his head; he sustained a blow to the head, a broken tooth and, most seriously, a large gash over his eye.
Hoste abandoned the race and was taken to hospital.
“Leif suffered of a really bad fall, said Bart Leysen, Katusha sport director, “and he won’t be able to finish the competition. Now he´s at the hospital for more examinations, and especially suturing the bad wound over his eyes. Tonight, after the medical evaluation, we will estimate if he can do any training before the Ronde Van Vlaanderen or keep him for the race, where his help could be crucial for Filippo Pozzato.”
It was a mixed day for the Katusha team, with Valdimir Gusev bridging across to the breakaway, and then instigating the final four-man move. Unfortunately for the Russian though, he finished fourth of the four, just ahead of the charging peloton.
“Apart from [Hoste’s injury], we’re satisfied with the team performance,” Leysen continued, “and especially Gusev’s performance, even if he could have reached the podium today.
“Unfortunately, Muravyev’s final sprint was not a very sporting one: the RadioShack rider from Kazakhstan tried to obstruct Gusev, keeping him from the podium. Despite this, we’re happy that Vladimir is finding his best condition, and this is making us optimistic for the Driedaagse de Panne, and especially the Ronde Van Vlaanderen.”
Pozzato finished safely in the peloton in 48th place.