Stitches required for eye and elbow
RadioShack’s Lance Armstrong was forced to abandon the Tour of California after being involved in an early crash during today’s fifth stage.
According to RadioShack team manager Johan Bruyneel’s Twitter page, the seven-time Tour de France winner was taken to the hospital for further examination.
“Sorry to report there was a huge crash with Chechu [Rubiera] and Lance involved. Lance had to abandon and is going to the hospital for Xrays.ance had to abandon and is going to the hospital for x-rays.”
Armstrong and Rubiera went down along with defending Tour of California champion and teammate Levi Leipheimer. The incident happened as the road narrowed on the way out of the starting town of Visalia. Australian Stuart O’Grady (Saxo Bank) and Cervelo TestTeam’s Heinrich Haussler were also involved in the crash and unable to continue.
The American woke up to accusations of systematic doping practices from former teammate Floyd Landis, which Armstrong denied before the race departed.
“We have nothing to hide. We have nothing to run from,” Armstrong said.
According to team spokesman Philippe Maertens, Armstrong required stitches in his left elbow and under his left eye.