During stage six of the Vuelta a Catalunya, Chris Anker Sørensen’s opportunity to contest the Giro d’ Italia overall for his Saxo Bank team literally came crashing to a halt.
Sørensen said on his blog that he found himself sitting on the curb waiting for the ambulance already knowing that his collarbone had been broken.
“According to the doctors I can probably expect a month long break. Therefore, I also realize that my classification dreams in the Giro [d’Italia] are no longer an option. I’m still hopeful that I will be able to compete in the race and use it to build up my fitness, and perhaps go for some stages.”
Sørensen, 25, is being groomed by director Bjarne Riis as a team leader. Last year he finished 34th in the Tour de France, 16th in the Amstel Gold Race, 15th in Flèche Wallonne and 13th in the World Championship road race. His last race of the season resulted in a win at the Japan Cup.
Sørensen blamed Euskaltel-Euskadi rider Aitor Galdos for the crash explaining that when the Spanish rider initially hit his front wheel he was able to recover, but when he bumped it a second time it sent him crashing to the pavement.
“The form was finally there. I had felt really good riding throughout the week,” explained a disappointed Sørensen.
The Saxo Bank rider was expected to improve on his results in the upcoming Ardennes classics as he prepared for his role as team leader in the Giro this May. With only six weeks until the start of Italy’s biggest race, Sørensen said he “hopes for a miracle” so he can get himself back on track in time.