Samuel Sanchez and Damien Martin injured after the Criterium du Dauphine crash
Samuel Sanchez of Team Euskaltel-Euskadi was part of a massive crash that occurred during the final 47 kilometre during the stage 1 of the Criterium du Dauphine.
The cyclist took several cyclists with him including Pierrick Fedrigo of Team FDJ-BigMat and Daniel Martin of Team Garmin-Barracuda.
Sanchez was amongst the list of final men to represent his nation at the 2012 Olympic Games and the crash has now raised ambiguities towards his inclusion at the coming event.
It was believed that Sanchez broke a bone or two after the crash but the X-ray reports have revealed no breaks.
However, the cyclist has received some severe bruises to his ribs and it is still not certain whether he will be able to continue at the coming stages of the race.
Samuel started his professional pursuit with Team Euskaltel-Euskadi in 2000 and has been loyal with the time since then.
He has helped the team with several top performances during his 13 year stay with the side including three podium finishes out of his eleven Grand Tour participations.
Martin crashed with Simon Gerrans which left him with a broken helmet.
The Australian posted on his twitter page, "I performed a few acrobatics & then had a little touch down with 30k to go. @DanMartin86 hope you're ok, I left some tire marks on you".
While commenting on his conditions, Damien noted via Twitter, “Shoulder hurts like h**l, see how we wake up".
Martin is now eyeing the Tour de France as the next big goal of his 2012 season and is optimistic to take on the yellow jersey.
“I know that with my characteristics obviously stage wins are a possibility and with that mentality”.
“Double points on the mountain top finishes then winning stages will mean you’re sniffing around the jersey”.
“It’s a jersey in the Tour de France and even to wear it and it would be a really big thing for me and the team and perhaps more realistic than trying to take yellow,” he concluded.
Only time will tell, if Martin recovers in time to represent his side at the Tour de France 2012.
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