Worlds crash ends Frank Schleck's season

Frank (l) and Andy Schleck have both ended their season ©Graham Watson

Sep 28th, 11. Fränk Schleck was injured in the crash which ended NZ's hopes at the World Championships. After post race tests, the Leopard Trek rider has decided to end his season.

The national champion of Luxembourg and 3rd placed Tour de France rider crashed halfway through the World Championship road race and was forced to pull out.

"The crash happened in the front of the peloton. At first, I thought I would be able to avoid hitting the asphalt, but riders came sliding in from behind and took me down. I immediately felt a harsh pain in my right hand and had to abandon the race," said Schleck.

A first scan of the right hand showed that it was not broken, but heavily bruised.

Because Schleck's left knee started swelling as well, another MRI-scan on was taken today.

This scan showed a contusion of the knee, with a lot fluid around the ligaments. The team's head doctor advised a minimum of ten days off the bike.

Like his brother Andy, who saw his calendar disrupted after the Tour of Colorado due to a dental infection and an unavoidable surgery, Fränk Schleck will not be competing in the post-Worlds races in Italy he was scheduled to ride.