Chavanel injured in oyster incident

Cofidis rider Sylvain Chavanel has injured himself while trying to open an oyster. A knife the French rider was using to open the oyster slipped and cut one of his fingers down to the bone, a wound which required 13 stitches to close it.

Doctors said that Chavanel will have no feelings in the finger for several months, according to hln.be. Despite the lack of feeling, it is not expected to interfere with his training.

The 29-year-old turned professional with Brioches la Boulangère in 2000 and joined Cofidis in 2005. He will ride for Quick Step as of 2009. This year Chavanel won, among others, Dwars door Vlaanderen, Brabantse Pijl, and Stage 19 of the Tour de France.