Levi Leipheimer injured during a training crash
Levi Leipheimer of Team Omega Pharma-Quick Step crashed during a training ride in Pais Vasco on Sunday.
He was hit from the back and was immediately taken to the hospital for an x-ray. The cyclist was lucky to have survived any major injuries as no broken bones were reported.
He is currently suffering from a muscle bruise to his left calf and is hoping to recover as early as possible.
The American is enjoying an ideal start to his 2012 campaign, after an overall victory at the Tour de San Luis. He also claimed the first and the fourth stages of the Argentinean race.
Leipheimer started riding professionally with Team Comptel-Colorado Cyclist in 1997 and spent a period of one year with the side.
He also represented Team Saturn (1998-1999), Team US Postal (2000-2001), Team Rabobank (2002-2004) and accepted an offer from Team Gerolsteiner for the 2005 and 2006 seasons.
The 38-year-old accepted an offer from Team Discovery Channel in 2007, and spent a time of one year with the side.
He joined Team Astana (2008-2009), Team RadioShack (2010-2011) and currently rides under the strong squad of Team Omega Pharma-Quick Step.
Leipheimer is considered amongst the best all-rounders in sport and has shown his strength in all formats of the sport.
He holds as many as 13 Grand Tour appearances under his belt including two Giro, nine Tour and two Vuelta a Espana representations to his credit.
The cyclist finished third during the Tour de France 2007, which is considered as his best performance at the French race.
He finished third during the Vuelta a Espana 2001, and grabbed the second position during the 2008 edition of the Spanish Grand Tour.
While commenting on the training crash he briefed, "I was kind of in shock, you know, the bottom line is it was super scary, and I am lucky to be alive".
“I'd also like to add that the team has been really supportive.
“The doctor here took great care of me. Ro, who handles all our travel did a great job at making sure I get home really early, and I've received good messages from the team”.
"I'm really thankful for that," he concluded.
Further examinations will be performed after Leipheimer’s arrival in California, which will determine his return to the professional cycling.
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