Accidents were quite common and not all were as harmless as this one (Image credit: Sirotti)
The Tour of Flanders may have taken place a couple of days ago but new injuries and confirmations of old ones are still coming through. Worst effected was René Haselbacher (Vorarlberg-Corratec). The Austrian suffered fractures to his nose, frontal sinus bone and right elbow. He should be able to travel home today. Haselbacher crashed on the Molenberg and banged his head on the rough cobbles.
However his Directeur Sportif Rene Gut said leaving for home would only be possible if no complications arose. "But fortunately there were no head injuries, as initially suspected. He will have to wear a cast [on his arm] for three weeks and only then can he start training."
Carlos Barredo (Quick Step) crashed on the Koppenberg, injuring his chest and he was transferred to a hospital in nearby Oudenaarde.
Mirco Lorenzetto (Lampre-NGC) crashed heavily in Herzele, when he was taking off his long-sleeve jersey. An upcoming turn forced him to put his hands back on the bars and one of the sleeves was caught in his front wheel. He suffered head injuries, but his Directeur Sportif Fabrizio Bontempi indicated that the rider was doing okay despite the hard fall. "The tests excluded internal bleeding and fractures. But Mirco doesn't remember anything about the crash."
New Zealander Hayden Roulston (Cervélo TestTeam) suffered a knee injury.
As already reported in the previous news edition, initial fears that Roulston's teammate Thor Hushovd broke his wrist were unfounded and Hushovd has already been out on a training ride.
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