Vuelta sick bay: Steels and Piil

Belgium’s Tom Steels (Davitamon-Lotto) was involved in a tough crash today at the stage 13 of the Vuelta a España. He was reported to be unconscious after it happened. He was then taken to hospital with a deep wound at one of his knees, but could leave again on the same evening to travel back home to Belgium.

The accident took place at kilometre 22 of the stage, when the peloton was riding downhill at around 80 km/h. According to Hendrik Redant, team manager of Davitamon-Lotto, the injury will heal well but the question of Steels' selection for the World Championships remains under these circumstances.

Meanwhile, team CSC's Jakob Piil has left the hospital in Burgos, where he was examined on Friday morning. The Danish rider crashed on yesterday's stage and was diagnosed with a broken left thumb. Piil still believes in making a comeback later this season.

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