Saxo Bank's Fränk Schleck has apologized to the Française des Jeux team after blaming one of their riders for causing his crash during yesterday's stage three of the Vuelta al Pais Vasco. The Luxemburger lashed out at the team yesterday on his Twitter account.
"Nasty crash at 10km to go, fdj took me out!! Scary contusions everywhere and 4-5 stitches in the back of my head. I think I'm going to have to take a break," he Tweeted after the crash.
This morning Schleck said that he wouldn't take the start in today's stage: “The worst hangover ever multiplied by 10, but no drinks yesterday. That's how I feel folks, I’m not going to start today. Need rest.”
Team sports director Kim Andersen confirmed last night that he did not suffer any fractures from the incident, but said he had some significant injuries.
"It was supposed to be a peaceful stage but it did not turn out like that. A rider in front of him made a sudden move and Fränk lost his balance and was swept off the road and ended in a deep ditch,” Anderson said yesterday evening. “Apparently, he has a wound in his neck that needs stitches but we are still waiting for the doctor’s judgment.”
Later today he thought better of what he had said about the Française des Jeux rider, and decided to apologize to the team. "Hey folks thx for all the best wishes.I have to apologize and I'm very sorry what I tweeted yesterday. 1st It was not fdj who crashed me," he said via his Twitter account.
Schleck went on to say that "sh*t happens" in the peloton, acknowledging that yesterday's incident wasn't intentional. "fdj I'm sorry it had nothing to do with you guys, it was silly to think and blame it on another rider," he added.