It was a dangerous and difficult day at AMGEN Tour of California Stage 2, in which many riders in the peloton had heat related medical problems such as cramps and dehydration. Temperatures reached more than 43 degrees Celsius on course, with temperatures reaching record highs as the race neared the finish.
Omega Pharma – Quick-Step Cycling Team rider Pieter Serry was one of the riders who suffered problems due to the heat. He crashed at 500 meters from the finish line due to heat exhaustion and dehydration. Medical staff put him in the race ambulance for first aid treatment, and after few minutes he was immediately better — almost recovered. He went to the hospital for further checks and he was determined to be OK by medical staff. In the evening he returned to the hotel, where he eat and drink normally. He will stay with the team a day more in observation then he will fly back home.
Serry was even able to provide a Tweet about the experience and his condition:
"Thanks @opqscyclingteam for the work today and the good care! So bad I couldn't finish! What a terrible experience! #ATOC #recoverytime"
Other team injury updates:
Bert Grabsch of OPQS also crashed during the race. He fell on his right side and has a contusion in that location of his body, along with intercostal pain. The team will see how he has recovered from his crash overnight and normally he will take the start later today.
Stijn Vandenbergh abandoned during Stage 1 due to problems with his left knee. He will pass further examinations in Belgium in the next days, and more information will then be provided.
