Papp operated on in Italy

American Joe Papp, a member of the Whistle-Interimp Italian amateur team, was successfully operated on today at the municipal hospital in Pescia, Italy. Doctors evacuated a large gluteal haematoma that Papp suffered after a crash on Sunday in the GF Michele Bartoli in nearby Montecarlo.

The haematoma measured approximately 125cm3 and doctors removed over 300cc of marmalade-like blood mass during the 20min procedure. Papp remained conscious and aware during the operation, which was done under a local anaesthetic.

The crash occurred in the final 500m of the Bartoli race, as Papp and three breakaway companions, including his teammate Juan Torres, sprinted up the finishing climb. Papp and an Italian touched bars and the American fell heavily on his left side. Torres went on to win while Papp was able to remount and finish 7th.

He will remain in hospital under observation for the next 48 hours, before returning to the team's base in Montecatini Terme and then heading home to the United States. Papp will not race again this season, however.

"Our final European race as a team this year was the Bartoli," explained Papp, "and this crash, and the fact that my wife Yuliet escaped from communist Cuba and is trying to get to the US leaves me without the motivation to focus on racing once I get home."

Papp won two events in Italy with the Whistle-Interimp team, including the GF Pinarello on July 16.

Also see: www.joepapp.com