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URBINO, Italy, May 19, 2008 (AFP) - Spaniard Alberto Contador, last year’s
Tour de France winner, is suffering from a minor elbow fracture sustained
during a crash during the ongoing Tour of Italy, but has vowed to continue the
race.

“Contador’s visit to the radiologist today (Monday) revealed a fissure in
the radius head of his left elbow,” his Astana team said in a statement on
Monday.

“The fracture without dislocation stems from his Stage 8 crash from
Rivisondoli to Tivoli (on Saturday).

“Though Contador was able to complete the stage and Sunday’s Stage 9, the
bruising and discomfort prompted a formal examination on the Giro d’Italia’s
first rest day.

“The x-rays showed that the fracture is stable and the 2007 Tour de France
Champion has been cleared to ride Tuesday’s time-trial.”

Contador insisted that he had no intention of quitting the race,
international cycling’s second most prestigious stage race after the Tour de
France.

“As all riders know, winning a Grand Tour takes some hard work, luck and
health,” Contador said Monday, a rest day on the Giro.

“Unfortunately, having a small fracture does not make the journey to Milan
any easier, but I’m motivated and will try to fight through the pain. I do not
intend to leave the race.”

Contador admitted that he had felt his elbow during a training run on
Monday and that the position of the injury could pose a problem for Tuesday’s
individual time-trial as a fully aerodynamic position on the time trial bike
cannot be fully obtained.

“That is a problem but I hope I still make a good time trial. The doctors
tell me that it is a small fracture. With a bit of luck, I can recover a bit
during the ‘easier’ stages from Wednesday to Friday.”