Scheirlinckx crashes out

Belgian Staf Scheirlinckx (Cofidis) will be out of action for several weeks after crashing badly in the 14th stage of the Giro d'Italia. The one-time mountains classification leader came off after 96 km, breaking his collarbone, a bone in his hand, and two fingers.

"An ugly line through my account," Scheirlinckx told Belga. "Calculated on the day after I learned that I had been selected for the Tour. I most likely write that off now. The crash was very stupid. A rider in front of me avoided an obstacle too late and I had no room to move. Up on the footpath, against a traffic sign, and taken to the clinic. A painful end to a Giro that I should satisfied with. Even today I felt good again. I'll wait and see how the recovery goes. I have to put this into perspective. There are worse things in life than this.