'Litu' Gómez is optimistic

Saunier Duval-Scott's Ángel Gómez Gómez is optimistic following a crash in the Ronde van Vlaanderen. The dramatic incident saw the 26 year-old Spaniard flying across the road after he hit a curb islet with less than sixty kilometres remaining. Fortunately, his injuries were limited.

"I did not see it", 'Litu' explained from his home, where he has a broken arm, amongst other injuries. "I requested a bicycle change to my team due to mechanical problem. ... I was looking down and I did not realise the danger signs. I flew off the bike and the impact was brutal. I felt a sharp pain in the entire right side of the body and soon I realised the seriousness of the wounds," he added.

The impact left Gómez's bicycle in several separate pieces. "The mechanic told me that he was only been able to save the bottle cages and the brakes; everything else is broken."

Gómez had hoped to ride the Tour de Romandie, building for the Giro d'Italia, where he would help Riccardo Riccò and Leonardo Piepoli; instead, he will need to recover. "I want to recover and return to competition soon," he continued.

Doctors say he will need four weeks time to be back to full strength. "I hope I can be on the road in three weeks," he added. "I have a deep cut above the knee, with stitches, and also a broken big toe on my right foot."

Gómez is now pointing towards a return in the Tour de France.