Bicycling

Cycling - Armstrong to Have Surgery After Breaking Collarbone

Lance Armstrong had to fly home to have surgery in his collarbone which he broke on an accident Monday afternoon on the Vuelta a Castilla y Leon, a five-day stage race at the north of Madrid. He was in the first group of riders when he went into a narrow road and got caught into a pile of runners and that cause him to fall in the ground very hard and he remained holding up his right arm until the ambulance took him to a local hospital. He stayed with the Astana team in Spain and then flew back to Austin, Texas where he lives and where he probably will be submitted to surgery in the next few days.

This was his second race in Europe since he came back from his retirement of three years and a half; the first race that he took part of was the San Remo-Milan cycling classic where he finished in the 125th position. "In 17 years as a pro, I have been lucky to avoid one of the most common cycling injuries, " Armstrong said in a statement. "The crash has put my upcoming calendar in jeopardy but the most important thing for me right now is to get back home and rest up and begin my rehab."

A cycling physician from US was consulted about the fracture and the procedure to which Lance will be submitted, and he explained that the fracture that Armstrong has is the most common collarbone fracture and it is very easy to fix; time of recovery is of four weeks. He said that collarbones fractures can heal on their own, but the recommended treatment for cyclists with this problem is to insert a titanium plate specially moulded to join the fracture, which is held in place with screws. With the fracture stabilized, he can start rehabilitation in a stationary bike in one week after the surgery. Armstrong was supposed to be training this week to another race, the Criterium International in France, in order to get prepared to the Giro de Italia which is going to be held in May, but due to the last events he is not sure yet if he is going to be able to compete, even though he is committed since last October to be in the 100th edition of the Giro.

Astana team manager, Johan Bruyneel, said that he's still very confident that Lance is going to participate in the Tour of France and the Giro d' Italia; he stated that a collarbone fracture in March does not compromise the participation of the all-time cyclist on both races. He also considers that is obvious that Lance has to have some time to prepare and be able to get into a good racing level. He was very clear in saying that the Astana team is not getting off the Giro and that maybe what they will have to do is to focus in another mentality for him to start the race. Lance Armstrong has never raced in the Giro; this will be the first time that he includes the circuit on his itinerary with the purpose of participating in this year's Tour of France.

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