Hoste through 'Hell' with broken sternum

Leif Hoste (Discovery Channel) finished the 'Hell of the North' Paris-Roubaix in Brugge hospital, where a fracture of the sternum was diagnosed, as well as tear of the lung. The teammate of Lance Armstrong crashed badly in the pavé sector of Orchies, where another rider slid right in front of him. Nevertheless, Hoste finished the race in 33rd position.

Asked how he managed to ride to the finish, Hoste replied, "That's what I keep asking myself. I was seriously hurt, but I just kept riding." Hoste is now undergoing treatment especially for his lung, in which a small quantity of air is blocked. "The doctors might have to puncture the lung with a tube, in order to get the air out," said directeur sportif Dirk Demol, adding, "He will be out of competition for quite a while, that's for sure."

"I can forget about the rest of the Spring season," Hoste said, "and I won't be participating in the Giro neither. In principle, I will be able to get back on a bike in a few days, but it will take about six weeks until I can train properly again, according to the doctors."