CyclingQuotes.com Suspected broken collarbone for Greipel in Wevelgem

ANDRÉ GREIPEL

RIDER PROFILE

GENT-WEVELGEM

JURGEN ROELANDTS

LOTTO-DSTNY

30.03.2014 @ 21:12 Posted by Emil Axelgaard

André Greipel was in the perfect position to finally claim a big classics win when diasaster struck in today's Gent-Wevelgem. The German champion was brought down in a crash that not only ruined his race but also has put his classics campaign to an end due to a suspected broken collarbone.

A crash in the final has made that André Greipel couldn't defend his chances in Ghent-Wevelgem. The German champion probably broke his collarbone, but further examination has to determine that.

"Jürgen Roelandts sprinted to the tenth place today. John Degenkolb was faster than Arnaud Démare and Peter Sagan.

Immediately after the start five riders took off from the peloton: Aregger, Boaro, Lander, Venter and Veuchelen. The five had a maximal advantage of 10'25" after 35 kilometers. Frederik Willems rode lots of kilometers on the head of the bunch.

Just before the Casselberg André Greipel had to change his bike, the German champion could rejoin the peloton quickly, with the help of Willems and Sieberg.

On the first passage of the Kemmelberg, at 79 kilometers of the finish, little happened. On the second ascent of the Baneberg escapee Manuele Boaro started a solo. Then the race broke loose on the Kemmelberg.

Tony Gallopin reached the top with the first ten riders, closely followed by Jürgen Roelandts and André Greipel. This group of about thirty riders bridged the gap on Boaro. Many riders would join them afterwards, among them Lars Bak and Marcel Sieberg.

Belgian champion Stijn Devolder jumped away with twenty kilometers to go, together with Amador and Dillier. The peloton, where also Lotto Belisol worked in the chase, kept the escapees within reach. André Greipel sat in an ideal position, surrounded by teammates.

But eight kilometers from the finish he crashed, over and out. The leaders were caught under the last kilometer sign. John Degenkolb could celebrate in Wevelgem. André Greipel probably broke his collarbone. Further examination in the hospital of Herentals will determine that.

"We came to Ghent-Wevelgem with two options in mind," manager Marc Sergeant said. "André Greipel would sprint for the win or Jürgen Roelandts and Tony Gallopin would battle for the victory if it didn't turn out to be a bunch sprint.

"All three of them survived the selection after the last ascent of the Kemmel and Monteberg. Later Lars Bak and Marcel Sieberg bridged the gap so that was the perfect scenario.

"All day long we rode on small roads with many turns and eventually it's a crash on a big straight road that crushes our plans. Riders crashed behind André, but a bike that catapulted through the air hit André and so he crashed. His shoulder hit the kerb.

"This is a disappointment for André and the entire team. He's our finisher in many races. In the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix he could have helped the team a lot.

"We did everything to get with André to the finale, and we succeeded 100 percent in that. We had five men for him in the finale. Stijn Devolder's attack was quite dangerous and we put [Lars] Bak and later even [Tony] Gallopin on the front to bring that group back. It was all going very well until the moment when he crashed."

Nonetheless, the team kept riding on the front.

"Why not keep riding? Roelandts was feeling good and he could have finished in the top five in the sprint, which would have been important for us too," Sergeant said. "That would have been impossible with three guys still up the road, so why not keep riding?

"We have lost a man who is very important for the team. Even if he can't win the Tour of Flanders or Paris-Roubaix, he is one of the men who can do something to make the race harder, and now we're going to have to do that now."

"My tenth place is a cold comfort," Roelandts said. "Today we made the race. I felt better than Friday in the E3 Harelbeke. Together with Tony Gallopin I was always riding attentively in the front to respond to any attacks.

"We were with five riders in the peloton that would sprint for the victory, we were confident that we would at least take a podium spot. This is a big disappointment. I didn't see the crash, but Manuel Quinziato came to tell me André was down. I had used a lot of energy along the way, which I didn't have left for the sprint.

"André would have been a big help for the Ronde and Roubaix. We have to get over this set back and focus on next Sunday. My shape and that of Gallopin is increasing, that's positive with the Tour of Flanders in mind."

Injury update:

After his crash in the final of Ghent-Wevelgem André Greipel immediately went to the hospital this evening. A third degree AC luxation of the collarbone was the conclusion after the examination. Because of the crash the collarbone was dislocated and both ligaments between collarbone and shoulder have been completely pulled off.

Tonight Greipel will undergo surgery by doctor Toon Claes. The torn ligaments will be replaced and a little plate will be fixed to strengthen it. Of course Greipel will spend the night in hospital.

The diagnosis immediately puts an end to the participation of Greipel in the spring races. In the selection of the Three Days of De Panne he won't be replaced.

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