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PRESS RELEASE

BOTT’S DOTS FATAL FOR VLADIMIR GUSEV

Vladimir Gusev (Astana Cycling Team) broke his right collar bone in the 6^th stage of the Tour of California. While picking up bottles from the team car, at 26 km of the finish in Santa Clarita, his front wheel hit one of the typical Botts’ dots, the nonreflective raised pavement markers, used to separate driving lanes.

Three hours after the race, Vladimir Gusev underwent surgery in the Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica to repair the undisplaced fracture. The doctors inserted a plate and screws (osteosynthesis) to stabilize the fracture and ensure a quick recovery.

Gusev, one of the team leaders for the classics, is expected to resume training in ten days, with a hopeful return to competition in 3-4 weeks.