Rabobank’s Laurens ten Dam’s has been diagnosed with a fractured pelvis following a crash in the final meters in yesterday’s stage of the Ruta del Sol. Rabobank’s team manager Frans Maassen cited strong winds blowing the crowd control barrier into the course as the culprit.
The Dutchman was rushed to the hospital, putting a damper on team leader Oscar Freire’s stage win. After having x-rays at the Hospital in Cordoba, doctors pointed out a fracture near the top of his pelvis.
Damiano Cunego (Lampre-Farnese Vini), Jelle Vanendert (Omega Pharma-Lotto) and Linus Gerdemann (Milram) also fell heavily in the crash with Gerdemann the only rider not having to abandon the race.
The team said on their website that they’re going to do whatever they can to speed the process of getting ten Dam back home to the Netherlands. Once home, he will receive a more thorough examination, and the team will determine how they have to adjust his racing program.