Schleck crashes in training

Fränk Schleck of Saxo Bank crashed during training on Wednesday and was forced to go to hospital. He received seven stitches on the chin and had a heavy contusion on his left wrist. Subsequent examinations showed no signs of fractures.

The rider from Luxembourg skidded with his front wheels during a training ride and crashed in a curve going downhill. "I guess I should consider myself lucky that nothing is broken. This doesn't come at a convenient time, since I'm in really good shape after Paris-Nice and I hope to get back into racing as soon as possible," said Schleck. His next race is now set to be the Criterium International at the end of March.

Sports Director Kim Andersen took precautionary measures. "We need Fränk to be back racing as soon as possible and since nothing is broken we had the possibility to send him to do the cobblestone races in Belgium next week. Since these races are demanding on the whole body, it's better to wait and then have him come back 100% fit in the race in France, where we should have a good possibility to get some results with him and Jens Voigt."