Omega Pharma – Quick-Step Cycling Team rider Tom Boonen had an unfortunate crash at 19km, accidentally hitting an object in the road that forced him to abandon Ronde van Vlaanderen on Sunday.
"I was behind Stijn and we were riding on the side of the group," Boonen said. "The speed was really high. The peloton swung a bit on the left and we were following, when suddenly I hit a plastic sign on the road. In a moment I went on the ground. I couldn't even breathe at the beginning. I understood immediately that somethig wasn't good. I had pain especially on the left side of my body. Then I saw also a deep wound on my right knee and I understood that my race was over."
He was transported to the hospital of Roeselare. Boonen has a contusion at his left hip, as well as a wound on his left elbow. He also has a contusion and a wound on his right knee that required a few stitches. X-rays showed no fractures. In agreement with the team medical staff, Boonen won't take the start of Paris-Roubaix.
"It's really not an option" Boonen said. "It's hard to renounce a race like that, but I really can't ride. I have a lot of pain and in the next days for sure it won't be better. Unfortunately 2013 is not really my year, not my number. I had too much troubles this year and than this. Now I really have to be careful with my physical problems. The elbow and the hip are really swollen and painful, all the left part of my body is sore."
Boonen also provided his thoughts about the race. To read more, click here: http://www.omegapharma-quickstep.com/en/news/show/ronde-van-vlaanderen-kwiatkowski-a-key-protagonist/1148
