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Leipheimer says recovery slower, more painful than expected
Velonews.com
Levi Leipheimer admitted Wednesday that he may not be able to start the Tour of California next month following a car/bike collision on April 1. Leipheimer’s Omega Pharma-Quick Step teammate Tony Martin returned to the saddle this week after his own car/bike crash.
“The Tour of California was one of the objectives for my season,” said Leipheimer. “I wanted to be competitive in order to win a fourth overall title. At this point, merely participating will be a success. I will put in my best effort to manage to be on the starting line, even though it won’t be easy.”
Leipheimer suffered a fractured fibula when a car hit him from behind during a training ride on the eve of the Vuelta al País Vasco. He flew home to Santa Rosa, California, the next day and doctors there diagnosed the fracture.
“The situation isn’t pleasant at all,” said Leipheimer in a team release. “Ever since the day of the accident I haven’t managed to get back on my bike out on the road, and I honestly don’t know when that will be possible. Recovery is slower than we expected. I still have pain in my leg and I’m having trouble walking. I also have pain in my ribs and hips due to the fall, this is limiting my movement.”
Martin suffered multiple facial fractures, as well as a broken shoulder and arm, in a crash near his Swiss home last Wednesday.
