23-year-old Caisse d'Epargne talent, Rigoberto Uran, broke his collarbone while training at home in Colombia. Uran, who calls Medellin home, hit a child while preparing for his second Grand Tour of 2010, the Vuelta.
Uran, speaking with El Tiempo, described the incident and the aftermath: "I hit the boy, but he's fine. I fell and suffered a fracture. I was rushed to Medellin and was in surgery in the evening."
At only 23-years-old, the Colombian climber has established himself as a huge talent for the future. At only 20-years-old, Uran took a stage victory and 9th overall at the Tour de Suisse. The following season, he finished a surprising 3rd at the Giro di Lombardia. The progressiona continued in 2009: he scored 5th overall at the Tour de Romandie, but the best was yet to come.
2010 has been his best season yet. Uran started the year strong with an 11th at the GP dell'Insubria, then continued with a 5th in Stage 4 at Tirreno-Adriatico, and eventually slotted in at 14th overall. After that, the Colombian started a notable run of top tens: 6th in the first stage at the Tour of the Basque Country, 7th at the Klasika Primavera, 7th in the Plan de Corones TT at the Giro (35th overall), 2nd in the 2nd and 6th stages of the Tour de Suisse, and eventually 7th overall.
A Tour de France start in July would have seemed a likely next stop for the blossoming rider, but the Vuelta was deemed a better use of his talents in 2010. Unfortunately, his start looks highly questionable following his unfortunate accident.
"I think it will be very difficult to do the Vuelta. The problem hurts me, but recovery will have to be about 15 to 20 days."
The next steps for Uran are uncertain. He was slated to return to Europe to return to racing in preparation for Spain's Grand Tour, but his Monday flight will have to be set back a number of weeks.
"I will stay in my country until I recover, and then I will go back to Europe. I was supposed to travel to Spain on Monday, but with what happened, I have to change my plans."
The disappointing non-selection of the Tour de France would surely have seen the former Tour de Suisse stage winner in with a shot at racing for himself at the Tour of Spain. It doesn't seem like it will be long before Uran begins to contend for a high spot on the overall classification in the Grand Tours.