Ryder Hesjedal, Team Garmin-Sharp’s winner of the Giro d’Italia, is out of the Tour de France as team doctors wouldn’t let him start this morning after Friday’s crash.
Hesjedal suffered a major hematoma on his thigh and hip in a crash involving dozens of riders, including Boulder’s Tom Danielson whose separated shoulder and contusions knocked him from the race.
According to team doctor Printice Steffen, Hesjedal’s injury prevented him from pedaling.
“The injury would only be worsened if he tried to ride today,” Steffen said in a statement. “Some things will loosen up and feel better over a few days, but this is not in that category of injury. He needs to go home, keep working with the medical staff and recover.”
Saturday’s 123.7-mile Stage 7 from Tomblaine to the Alps ski resort of La Planche des Belles Filles included the first Category 1 climb of this year’s Tour.
“It’s very disappointing to leave the Tour this way,” Hesjedal said in a statement. “I was in good form and feeling comfortable, just really settling in to the first week with an eye on the mountains. I only took a few days off the bike after the Giro before I started training again and I have been very focused on doing a grea tTour.
“It’s a huge disappointment. But the team still has a strong group of riders here and they will still do great things.”
Hesjedal said he will concentrate on recovery in time for the London Olympics.
John Henderson: 303-954-1299, jhenderson@denverpost.com or
