CYCLING: Lance Armstrong's crashing fall in Spain yesterday will not affect his participation in August's Tour of Ireland. Armstrong broke his collarbone during the first stage of the Vuelta a Castilla y Leon but the injury should take no more than a month to heal fully.
Armstrong has yet to make a final call on his ability to ride in May’s Giro D’Italia which, should he opt to miss the race, will affect his preparations for another Tour de France bid.
It is approximately six weeks to the start of that event, which lasts from May 9th to 31st.
“I am very disappointed, very, especially for the Giro,” Armstrong said on his team Astana’s official website. “I need to relax a couple of days, fix the problem and make a plan. I hope I can tell you more about the Giro in a week.”
Tour of Ireland race director, Darach McQuaid, is in no doubt that Armstrong will be on the starting line come August 19th.
“His preparation for, and participation in, May’s Giro d’Italia is in doubt, but the remainder of his season, including the Tour of Ireland, will remain as scheduled,” McQuaid said today.
“Our own Sean Kelly broke his collarbone three times and commented yesterday that getting back on the bike quickly is very normal with this injury. Lance will likely be on his indoor trainer by the weekend.”
After the crash, Armstrong was taken by ambulance to the Rio Carrion hospital in Palencia before being transferred to Valladolid University Hospital. X-rays confirmed the extent of the damage.
“At the end of the race, people started to get a bit excited to win the race,” he recalled. “Everybody wanted to be in the front and couple of guys crashed in front of me, crossed the wheels and I hit them over the top.
“It happens quick when it happens. It could have been worse, I suppose. I have road rash abrasions on right hip and arm but the big problem is the broken collarbone.
“I never had this before. It is pretty painful. Now we must have to see how it heals. I will go back to the US.”
Collarbone fractures are the most common for cyclists - the reflex action is to put out the arm when falling, and the shock of the impact is transmitted up the arm. But they are also one of the fastest to heal, especially with pinning helping to speed the process.