Broken ribs end Vande Velde's Tour

Jul 6th, 10.  Christian Vande Velde suffered two broken ribs in today's crash filled stage.  His aren't the only injuries for Garmin Transitions but his teammates will be at tomorrow's start, he won't.

Vande Velde before the crash ©Graham Watson / Team Garmin Transitions

Garmin Transitions' team leader Vande Velde as well as teammate Tyler Farrar and Julian Dean were taken to hospital after they completed today's stage.  

While Dean fell early in the stage, Vande Velde and Farrar were two of the many riders who crashed on the slippery descent of the Col du Stockeu.

"Christian Vande Velde suffered a left eyelid laceration requiring multiple stitches, along with two broken ribs. Tyler Farrar sprained his left elbow and suffered a significant hematoma and abrasion. He also fractured his left wrist and suffered multiple other contusions and abrasions."

"Julian Dean suffered a large contusion on his left upper back. David Millar, who did not go to the hospital for x-rays, suffered a potential broken rib," Garmin Transitions announced in a statement this morning.

All nine Garmin-Transitions' riders completed today’s stage, demonstrating courage and commitment to their team, the sport, and the Tour de France.

Eight riders will take the start tomorrow, only team leader Christian Vande Velde will not.

See: Dean to continue despite injuries

"This season the American suffered a broken collarbone at the Giro d’Italia, three broken ribs at the Tour du Suisse, and today, suffered two additional broken ribs and multiple contusions. The extent of all of these injuries combined will prevent him from starting Stage 3."

The crash which was to end Christian Vande Velde's Tour wasn't the first time he crashed in today's stage.  He also crashed before the start of the Col du Stockeu climb.

"Riders crashed in front of me and I wasn't able to avoid them, so I went down. We all knew it was important to be at the front over the climb and at that point, I felt ok and got back on and made it back to the front to get up Stockeu."

Again, it was another rider's crash which took out Vande Velde.

"Then another rider lost control in front of me and again, I couldn't avoid it. I crashed and landed in a ditch. I’m not sure what I hit; I think it might have been a pole. At that point my eye was bleeding pretty badly and the pain in my side and my back was excruciating."

"No one wants to leave the Tour de France. I worked really hard to get myself ready to be here again and I was just starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I’m indescribably disappointed to not be starting tomorrow."

"I wish everyone luck – my team and all the other riders at this Tour de France. I don’t ever want to have to see another day like today, whether I’m in the race or not."

Jonathan Vaughters, CEO, Director Sportif confirmed the loss of their GC leader means a change of overall strategy for the team.

"We’ll be looking for stage wins and ways to animate the race. I’m proud of the ride our team did today. Despite injury and conditions, they pushed through, and all nine finished the race. We’ve lost Christian, and we’re all sad about that. He’s had a tough season and has preserved and pushed himself like few other athletes could," he said.

"Tomorrow is going to be painful for Tyler. He’s got significant injuries, so starting alone is a huge step, and from there we’ll have to see how he goes. But regardless, a good, strong team remains at this Tour and we’ll be a part of the action throughout."