Raisin hit by motorcycle

Saul Raisin (Crédit Agricole) was hit by a motorcycle at the first stage of the French race Four Days of Dunkirk on Wednesday. The American was forced to abandon the race with an injured hip and collarbone. The 22 year-old Raisin had finished the Tour de Georgia 13th overall and runner-up in the young riders jersey.

Meanwhile, the Four Days of Dunkirk has unfolded like a young talent contest, with stage winners and GC leaders all possible major race contenders for the future. Philippe Gilbert, who took stage two and the overall lead yesterday, is a promising 22 year-old Belgian rider from Francaise des Jeux, and Linus Gerdemann, who surprisingly took the first place on GC today, has been described by his team CSC's manager Bjarne Riis as the biggest German talent since Jan Ullrich.

See also: Four days of Dunkirk stage 3