Samuel Sanchez out of the Tour de France but interested to ride the 2012 Olympic Games
Samuel Sanchez of Team Euskaltel-Euskadi had to abandon the Tour de France after a disastrous crash during the stage 8 of the race.
The cyclist has a possible dislocated shoulder, a broken left collarbone and fractures on his left hand.
He was holding the 12th overall position after the stage 7 classifications and was a strong podium contender after the final general classifications.
Samuel crashed during an uphill section in the final 60 kilometres of the race and the earlier reports revealed that the crash occurred because of a male spectator who was sitting on the road.
However, the Spaniard has briefed that the crash might have ended his Tour goals but he is still positive to represent his nation at the biggest sporting event of the season, the London Olympics.
He succeeded at the 2008 Olympic road-race and his exclusion from the 2012 version of the race can really hurt the Spanish side.
While stating about his current condition, Samuel told Basque newspaper Deia, "I'm more worried about my upper shoulder than about my finger".
"At the moment it's bandaged up, but I'm worried about the muscle ligaments. Until we do a scan I won't be able to tell".
"The first priority is my health. I have to see what my condition is really like and evaluate things after that”.
"As for the Games, I have to talk to the Spanish national coach. Obviously his opinion matters a lot, too".
"As soon as I hit the ground I knew it was over. I didn't even try to continue. Cyclists know when they've done themselves some serious damage".
The 34-year-old started his professional crusade in 2000 with Team Euskaltel-Euskadi and helped his home town with several victories in the past decade.
He is continuing the 13th consecutive season with the team and was marking his 12th Grand Tour appearance.
Samuel hold one Giro d’Italia, six Tour de France and one five Vuelta a Espana participations under his belt.
Only time will tell if Sanchez can manage to recover in time to mark ride the 2012 Olympic Games scheduled from July 28 to August 12, 2012.
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