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O'Grady doubtful after crash

By AFP
Published: Jul. 4, 2006

CSC's Stuart O'Grady is doubtful for the fourth stage of the Tour de France after fracturing a vertebrae in his back here Tuesday.

The Tour de France veteran was among several riders who crashed on the undulating 216.5km third stage which played host to a hectic finale.

A CSC team spokesman said a CAT scan at a hospital in nearby Genk had shown that O'Grady fractured a vertebrae in his lower back, but that a decision would only be taken on Wednesday morning.

"He has fractured it in a way that means he may still be able to race," team spokesman Bryan Nyygard told AFP. "Stuart is in pain and obviously bruised but the doctors at the hospital as well as our team doctor feel he could still start.

"We'll wait to see how he feels in the morning before we take a decision."

O'Grady crashed towards the end of a stage which had also seen the retirement of American Freddie Rodriguez, Dutchman Erik Dekker and Spanish ace Alejandro Valverde. O'Grady, however, managed to climb back on his bike and ride to the finish before being attended to by doctors.