July 6/12 18:38 pm - Team Garmin-Sharp-Barracuda Update – Post Stage 6
Posted by Editoress on 07/6/12
On a day where David Zabriskie won the most combative jersey after helping power a four-man break for most of the stage, and launching a heroic attack in the final kilometers, a massive crash saw five Garmin-Sharp-Barracuda riders hit the ground. Christian Vande Velde, David Millar, Johan Vansummeren, Ryder Hesjedal and Tom Danielson all sustained injuries of varying degrees.
Tom Danielson was transported from the site of the crash via ambulance to a local hospital where preliminary x-rays were negative but an exam revealed that he reinjured the shoulder he separated in the crash on Stage 3 and sustained multiple other injuries including a separated left shoulder, sprained neck, chest contusion and multiple extensive deep abrasions.
Johan Vansummeren fought to finish the stage but was transported to a local hospital immediately after. Preliminary x-rays were negative but exams revealed that Vansummeren suffered a sprain to his right shoulder and upper back along with multiple abrasions.
Tom Danielson was transported from the site of the crash via ambulance to a local hospital where preliminary x-rays were negative but an exam revealed that he reinjured the shoulder he separated in the crash on Stage 3 and sustained multiple other injuries including a separated left shoulder, sprained neck, chest contusion and multiple extensive deep abrasions.
Johan Vansummeren fought to finish the stage but was transported to a local hospital immediately after. Preliminary x-rays were negative but exams revealed that Vansummeren suffered a sprain to his right shoulder and upper back along with multiple abrasions.
Team leader Ryder Hesjedal suffered a massive hematoma on his left hip and leg. Both Hesjedal and Vansummeren will continue to be evaluated by team medical staff and a determination will be made tomorrow as to whether they will start the race.
Following are quotes:
Jonathan Vaughters, CEO, Director Sportif
Clearly, this will mean a change in strategy for the team. We’ll be looking for stage wins, possibly the KOM jersey and ways to animate the race. It was a tough day but all things considered, spirits are good. These guys are good friends and a good support system for each other, they know how to be a team and that makes me immensely proud. Zabriskie had a great ride today, and I’m proud of how all the guys rode. Just crossing the line after a day like this speaks volumes. Tomorrow is going to be painful for many of them, so starting alone will be a big step but this is the Tour de France, and we go onward and set new goals. There's a lot of racing still to be done.
Ryder Hesjedal
I got caught up in the crash like countess others and immediately realized that my left leg wasn’t good. Once I got up and on a bike, I couldn’t pedal with any force, the pain was too much. The team helped me get to the line, but just getting there was all I was able to do. At that point, it was just about getting to the finish. I’ll work with the team medical staff tonight and try and get some rest and we’ll have to go from there. I’m not sure at this point what tomorrow holds, its the Tour so you want to do everything you can, but we have to wait and see. That was one of the worst crashes I’ve ever seen and I hope that everyone else who went down is ok.
Following are quotes:
Jonathan Vaughters, CEO, Director Sportif
Clearly, this will mean a change in strategy for the team. We’ll be looking for stage wins, possibly the KOM jersey and ways to animate the race. It was a tough day but all things considered, spirits are good. These guys are good friends and a good support system for each other, they know how to be a team and that makes me immensely proud. Zabriskie had a great ride today, and I’m proud of how all the guys rode. Just crossing the line after a day like this speaks volumes. Tomorrow is going to be painful for many of them, so starting alone will be a big step but this is the Tour de France, and we go onward and set new goals. There's a lot of racing still to be done.
Ryder Hesjedal
I got caught up in the crash like countess others and immediately realized that my left leg wasn’t good. Once I got up and on a bike, I couldn’t pedal with any force, the pain was too much. The team helped me get to the line, but just getting there was all I was able to do. At that point, it was just about getting to the finish. I’ll work with the team medical staff tonight and try and get some rest and we’ll have to go from there. I’m not sure at this point what tomorrow holds, its the Tour so you want to do everything you can, but we have to wait and see. That was one of the worst crashes I’ve ever seen and I hope that everyone else who went down is ok.
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