A very frustrating summer is continuing on for Euskaltel Euskadi leader Samuel Sanchez, who recently returned to competition after injury but is now once again suffering the results of a crash.
The Spaniard fell one kilometre into today’s stage of the Tour du Poitou-Charentes and, according to Direct Velo, may have broken his collarbone. He received medical attention and confirmation of his condition is expected later.
Today’s fall follows on a month and a half after he crashed heavily in the Tour de France. He fractured his hand on that occasion and in addition to pulling out of the Tour, he was also forced to miss the defence of his 2008 Olympic title.
Sanchez returned to competition in the Clásica San Sebastian, then rode the Vattenfall Cyclassics on August 19th before starting the Tour du Poitou-Charentes two days ago.
Today’s crash therefore comes on his fifth day of competition, showing the bad luck he has experienced.
He was due to ride the Tour of Britain, starting September 9, then the world road race championships, the Giro del Piemonte, Il Lombardia, the Tour of Beijing and the newest WorldTour event, the Tour de Hangzhou.
If his collarbone is indeed fractured, some or all of this racing programme could be affected.
Sanchez had hoped to challenge for the rainbow jersey, with that goal replacing his target of taking Olympic gold in London.
Follow up: Samuel Sanchez’s collarbone injury not as serious as feared