Paris-Nice stage winner Xavier Tondo plans to ride the Vuelta a España, despite having broken his right collarbone on yesterday’s fourth stage of the Tour of Poland.
The Cervélo Test Team rider hit the deck during the 177.9 kilometre stage to Cieszyn, finishing over seven minutes behind the winner Mirco Lorenzetto (Lampre-Farnese Vini).
“I knew the final of yesterday's stage was pretty tricky so I went to the front to be safer and I felt really good,” he explained. However that confidence soon turned to shock. “I took a drink and I didn’t see the gap in the road. I went down and when I stood up I immediately felt that my collarbone was broken.
“Fortunately it is a little fracture, and I hope to be fit in time for my next goal, the Vuelta a España.”
Tondo has just over 20 days to get ready for the race, and will be under pressure to both recover and to have the necessary fitness. Surprisingly, he won’t be operated on, according to Cervélo’s medical officer.
“We will not perform surgery; he will recover completely without it,” said Andreas Goesele. “This way he can start training again in a reasonably short time.”
The 31 year old Spaniard moved to the Cervélo Test Team after previously racing with the Andalucía-Cajasur team. He won the Tour of Portugal three years ago, and took the Subida al Naranco the following season.
Earlier this year, he rewarded Cervélo’s faith in him when he raced to an impressive solo victory in Paris-Nice. He also took a stage in the Volta a Catalunya and finished second overall in the race, just ten seconds behind Joaquin Rodriguez (Katusha).
Providing he makes it to the Vuelta a España, his likely role is to support team leader Carlos Sastre and also to hunt for stage wins.