Herrero holds off Paolo Bettini (Image credit: Cyclinginside.com)
David Herrero (Karpin Galicia) has been forced to sit out for a month following a crash on the Vuelta al País Vasco's fifth stage. Doctors have rested the rider after finding a crack in the 28 year-old's right leg.
The Basque, who claimed a stage win and three second positions in the Spanish race, is clearly frustrated with the injury after showing such strong form.
"I think that I never had this level [of fitness]," said Herrero. "I was really, very strong, physically and mentally, so I am very disappointed. When you are stopped for 30 days you lose the form, so that this will steal a big part of my season."
The Karpin Galicia rider had two big objectives for the 2008 season, however he'll be forced to miss both events due to the injury. "I had prepared the Vuelta al País Vasco, but my objectives in this first part of the season were the Euskal Bizikleta and the Vuelta a Catalunya," he said.
Herrero's injury is a blow for the Galician team, who counts on Herrero as one of its leaders, alongside Ezequiel Mosquera. The team isn't dwelling on the matter, instead it has realigned its goals for the season.
"Álvaro Pino called me up and said that I will reach in a good form in the last part of the season, and that we have to think in this," said Herrero. "We reached an important victory in the Vuelta al País Vasco, but I think that I was in the condition to reach something more. This would have been positive for Karpin Galicia, because it would help the team in his fight for its continuity." (MP)
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