THIS WEEK IN PRO CYCLING »

Get the VeloNews Email Newsletter FREE

  Learn More | Archive
Home » Top Stories » Road » » Tour de France

Leipheimer dodges bullet ahead of Vosges

Published: Jul. 16, 2009
Leipheimer rolls to the line. The crash occurred within the final three kilometers and had no impact on GC.
Leipheimer rolls to the line. The crash occurred within the final three kilometers and had no impact on GC.
Photo: Casey B. Gibson

Levi Leipheimer is banged up after a late-stage crash in Thursday’s wild ride to Vittel, but he’s thankful that he wasn’t seriously injured ahead of the potentially explosive stage across the Vosges on Friday.

The Astana rider – poised for the Tour podium in fourth place at 39 seconds back – crashed on a left-hander as the main pack swept into the finish line sprint nearly six minutes behind solo winner Nicki Sorensen (Saxo Bank).

“My wrist hurts, but surprisingly I am OK. It could have been much worse,” Leipheimer said. “I was a bit surprised by a left corner with 2.5km to go. I was sliding and couldn’t quite save my bike from sliding out and I hit the curb.”

Astana officials said that Leipheimer suffered contusions on his right wrist, right upper and lower back and road rashes on his right shoulder, lower back and hip. Leipheimer did not have X-rays.

Leipheimer crossed the line several minutes behind the main pack, but because the crash occurred within the final three kilometers, he was awarded the same time as the others in his group.

Earlier in the stage, Leipheimer was vigilant at the front of the pack and covered an attempt by arch-rival Andy Schleck (Saxo Bank) to bridge out to a forming pack of more than a dozen riders.

“We were just staying in the front, there was a group of 15 or so. Andy Schleck was in front of me and he jumped, so I knew I had to jump with him,” he said. “I went with him, later I saw that we were alone in the group, like 20 riders, it didn’t last very long.”

The speed was extremely high until the day’s winning break coalesced with about 80km to go. Schleck said “all hell broke loose” as some big names were making moves.

Cadel Evans (Silence-Lotto) was also marking the move, but seemed to confuse Leipheimer’s presence with Alberto Contador.

“Contador went in there and I thought I better put myself in there, otherwise I may not have anyone to chase,” Evans said. “It was a really intense start. A real Tour stage. Left-right, attack-attack-attack. It was good racing. It loosened up everyone’s legs for tomorrow.”

Evans caught in same crash

Silence-Lotto’s Cadel Evans was also caught up in the same crash, just as the peloton was preparing the field sprint.

"Even for eighth, this was a serious sprint,” Evans said. “We were just inside the last three kilometers as somebody crashed ahead of me. I could not avoid him, and I went down. My knee was hurting; therefore did I not take the coach but my bike, to go to the hotel."

Evans said the high pace early in the stage made for a nervous opening hour.

"It was absolutely crazy, the way they started,” he said. “They were attacking as if it was the sprint for the stage. I did not hesitate, and I played with them. Once I had Leipheimer with me, later it was Contador. I can tell that the Spaniard is busy. So are all contenders for the podium, I fear."