Reports are coming (from VeloNews so far) that Garmin-Cervelo sprinter and US national team ace Tyler Farrar may have to abandon the Vuelta a Espana with an injury to his hip. Farrar headed off for x-rays, unable to place any weight on his left leg, after landing hard in a crash at the end of stage 7 of the Vuelta a Espana. Marcel Kittel of Skil-Shimano won the bunch sprint to Talavera de la Reina, just ahead of the crash, which happened when Farrar and Vacansoleil's Michel Golas collided while vying for the same narrow opening in the front wall of riders with 300 meters to go. Kittel outlasted yesterday's winner Peter Sagan of Liquigas for the win, with Rabobank's Oscar Freire third.
If x-rays are negative, Farrar may yet abandon the race but still have time to recover (albeit without the preferred race miles) in time for the sprinter-friendly World Championships in Copenhagen, with the road race a full month away (Sept. 25). But Farrar landed hard on his hip at full speed, and any more complicating injury such as a fracture would surely bring an end to his season. Without Farrar, the United States has limited options at the Worlds, considering the immense talent other countries will bring.
Results:
- Marcel Kittel, Skil-Shimano
- Peter Sagan, Liquigas, s.t.
- Oscar Freire, Rabobank, s.t.
- Daniele Bennati, Leopard-Trek, s.t.
- Lloyd Mondory, AG2R, s.t.
No change on GC, Sylvain Chavanel still leads Dani Moreno by 15 seconds.
SebWatch: A daily check-in on Sebastian Lang's quest to finish all three 2011 Grand Tours. Sebastian finished 123rd today, safely inside the peloton, with no time gap. Fourteen stages to Madrid!