Viviani out with fractured pelvis
Italian sprinter withdraws from track worlds with hairline fracture
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MELBOURNE, Australia (AFP) — Italian Elia Viviani will take no further part in the omnium at the world track cycling championships after being diagnosed with a hairline fracture in his pelvis on Friday.
The Liquigas-Cannondale pro, who was in Melbourne chasing a place in the omnium at the London Olympics, crashed during the men’s elimination race — the third of six in the new Olympic event — on Thursday when he was also given a warning by officials for “dangerous riding.”
He intended to take part in the individual pursuit, the scratch race and the 1km time trial Friday but after being diagnosed with a hairline fracture at the bottom of his pelvis he was sent to the hotel by team bosses.
“He came to the velodrome this morning after visiting the hospital for a scan and was ready to hop back on his bike, but we sent him back to the hotel,” Italy coach Marco Villa told AFP. “The risk of the fracture getting bigger was just too great. We have to consider the Olympic Games, and the Liquigas team.”
Viviani, who won two stages at the 2011 USA Pro Cycling Challenge, is set to represent Italy at the London Games this summer, where the omnium, held over two days, will make its Olympic debut.
