Ryder Hesjedal's season of woe continued Monday when he crashed out of the Tour de Suisse just moments into the third stage and was rushed to a local hospital.
The Victoria cyclist suffered what was described by his Garmin-Sharp team as “a heavy blow to the neck and head, and multiple, severe contusions and abrasions to the right wrist, hip, knee, left shoulder and elbow.”
The team added that preliminary CT scans showed “no fractures and no neurological pathologies.”
The 32-year-old Islander will remain under observation by team medical staff.
“Hesjedal's health is the team's priority. Depending on how his recovery progresses, team medical staff, as of now, hopes he may be able to train in a few days’ time, although this will depend on his recovery,” said Marya Pongrace, director of communications for Garmin-Sharp.
The Belmont Secondary graduate was using the nine-stage Tour de Suisse, which concludes June 16, to prepare for the Tour de France, which begins June 29 in Corsica.
It is not known how Monday's spill will affect Hesjedal's plans for the Tour de France, although it sounds encouraging if team doctors are indicating he could resume training in a few days..
The Colwood-raised rider, the 2012 Giro d'Italia champion, looked to have rebounded strongly after being forced out of the 2013 Giro last month by an upper-respiratory tract infection. The three-time Olympian placed fourth and ninth in the first two stages of the Tour de Suisse and was less than three seconds off the leading pace heading into Monday's 203-kilometre leg from Montreux to Meringen before disaster struck with lightning sudden-ness just a few pedal strokes into the stage.
Hesjedal, considered Canada's leading pro rider, had just signed a two-year extension last week to stay on with Garmin-Sharp through 2015.
It extended a successful partnership as Hesjedal has risen from support rider with the team to become its featured lead rider. It was in Garmin colours that Hesjedal won the 2012 Giro d'Italia — to become both Canada's and Garmin-Sharp's first Grand Tour winner — and placed sixth in the 2010 Tour de France.
“I have had the biggest results of my career riding for this team and I’m very happy here,” Hesjedal said after signing his extension time last week.
Hesjedal is Garmin-Sharp's most valuable asset.
“Ryder is an important part of the team, not just because of his great results and exceptional talent, but also because of who he is,” Jonathan Vaughters, manager of the Garmin-Sharp team, said last week.
“We have seen his talent grow over his years with us, something we know will continue. He is a Grand Tour champion and an important part of the fabric of Garmin-Sharp.”
