Alessandro Petacchi had to abandon the Eneco Tour of Benelux on today's second stage, the pain of his fractured little finger causing him too much of a discomfort. "The pain and my physical weakness resulting from the fracture were just too much," he said. "When I got out of the saddle I forced more on one side of the body, which resulting in an imbalance on the back. I'm also feeling weak because of the antibiotics I'm taking to prevent inflammation.
"I need to recover fully at home, and in a couple of days I'll see my orthopedist. I want to try and return to racing at the Lombardian Triptych [Tre Valli Varesine, Coppa Agostoni, Coppa Bernocchi] from August 16-18, but I really want to see how it goes first, without putting too much pressure on myself time-wise."
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