Having hit the ground heavily inside the final metres of today’s seventh stage of the Vuelta a España, Tyler Farrar was one of the most badly affected of the riders who were involved in the mass pileup in Talavera de la Reina.
Initial indications appeared very worrying, with the rider unable to put much weight on his leg. He was taken to hospital amid fears of a fracture but, following tests, his Garmin-Cervélo team is reporting that he may be able to continue in the race.
“He hit hard but after a few minutes on the ground, Tyler was able to get on his bike and ride across the finish line with the help of his teammates,” said team spokesperson Marya Pongrace this evening. “He was taken immediately by ambulance to a local hospital, where he underwent evaluation.
“He suffered severe contusions on his hip but preliminary x-rays show no broken bones.”
Farrar is riding the Vuelta a España as both a means to an end, with stage wins being a target of his, and also as preparation for next months’ world championships in Copenhagen. Farrar’s rapid speed marks him out as one of the favourites for that race, and so he wants to continue in the Vuelta to continue to build condition.
Two of his likely rivals for that race, Mark Cavendish (HTC Highroad) and Matti Breschel (Rabobank) were both forced out of the Spanish tour, with the Briton succumbing to fatigue and the Danish rider crashing yesterday and breaking two fingers.
Farrar hopes to continue, though, and will battle onwards if it is possible to do so.
Pongrace indicated that a decision will be made after he has a chance to sleep and recover. “Tyler’s goal is to take the start tomorrow, but team medical staff will continue to monitor his injuries tonight and will determine the best course of action for Tyler in the morning,” she stated.
The American sprinter won a stage of this year’s Tour de France and has proven that on his day, he is as fast as anyone in the peloton.