No Vuelta for Klöden

Andreas Klöden of Team Astana will not ride the Vuelta a Espana, but not because of the wrist injury he suffered this week in the Eneco Tour. "It was already decided at the Tour de France that he would not do the Vuelta," team spokesman Philippe Maertens told Cyclingnews on Friday evening.

Klöden was listed as a starter on the preliminary Vuelta starting list. One of the four nominated reserves may be named to his place.

Klöden crashed on a roundabout in stage two of the Eneco Tour, at the foot of the Old Kwaremont. He withdrew from the race at the top of the climb. Initial examinations in Belgium revealed no fractures.

Klöden, 33, flew home to Switzerland and had his left wrist examined again in hospital there. "There were no fractures, but it was bruised," Maertens said. "There is a big haematoma inside. He may not move it for one week, and then may start training again."