Classics specialist could help team through pavé in crucial Tour stage
Team RadioShack’s Sébastien Rosseler was hit by a car during a training ride between Liège and Tongeren at home in Belgium today. His team said in a statement that Rosseler suffered from a small avulsion fracture of the dice bone in his left hand, and also sustained bruises on his right shoulder.
He was hoping for a slot on the RadioShack Tour de France squad, where seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong will make a bid for his eighth Tour crown. Two weeks ago RadioShack director Johan Bruyneel told Het Nieuwsblad that “Rosseler was almost certainly in the Tour selection”. Doctors have confirmed that he will be unable to pressure on his wrist for at least 14 days, which mean his chances for a ride in July are looking grim.
The Belgian would be a valuable lieutenant for Armstrong when the Tour de France hits the pavé du Nord during stage three of this year’s event. Organizers have included 13.2 kilometers of cobblestones from Paris-Roubaix, and a Classics specialist such as Rossler would be a huge asset to the team.
Rosseler has taken two wins for the RadioShack team this season including stage four of the Volta ao Algarve and the Flemish Classic Brabantse Pijl. The team hasn’t said when he is expected to return to competition, and also has not specifically ruled him out of taking part in the Tour.