German sprinter heads home to Germany to get a better idea about the injuries to his face
When Andre Greipel made the move to Omega Pharma-Lotto following an incredible string of success in the Highroad organization, hopes were high that Greipel could step out from behind the shadow of Mark Cavendish and assume his spot amongst the sprinting elite in the world's biggest races - something that he was not able to do while racing alongside, or rather, never alongside Mark Cavendish.
Unfortunately, the typically fast starter to the season got off to a slow start and as of the beginning of Tirreno-Adriatico, the big German only had one stage victory - Stage 4 at the Volta ao Algarve.
There was hope that Greipel's form and confidence would continue to improve through Tirreno-Adriatico for a huge showdown in Sanremo at the year's opening Monument, but a crash in yesterday's opening day at Tirreno-Adriatico seems like it could have thrown a spanner into the works.
Greipel describes the freak accident on his website.
"How it happened: As we warmed up for the team time trial on the course, I hit a deep, almost hidden, hole. The impact ripped the bars out of my hands, and I couldn't grab hold soon enough, so I ended up braking with my face."
The winner of stages in the Giro d'Italia and the Vuelta a España did manage to take the start for the team time trial, but unfortunately, today's Stage 2 was out of the question.
"Right now, I'm sitting in the airport in Pisa, and I'm waiting on my return flight home. Together with the team doctor, I decided this morning not to start. My left eye has swollen a lot and my field of vision has shrunk considerably."
The 2008 Tour Down Under winner heads home to Germany and will visit the doctor on Friday to see if anything worse than bad abrasions followed the crash.
"Along with numerous abrasions, I have two wounds on my face that required taping. Tomorrow, I'll undergo some more tests in Köln to make sure that I did not break any bones. After that, we'll see."
If Greipel only has some bad facial wounds, his lead up into Milano-Sanremo will still be compromised due to missing Tirreno-Adriatico, but it won't be nullified completely. If he did break some bones in his face, he could be looking at an unintended break from racing. Of course, Greipel is hoping for the best.
"Naturally, I hope that I can get back on my bike as soon as possible."