CHATEAUROUX, France, July 9, 2008 (AFP) – Spain’s Tour de France hopeful
Alejandro Valverde, of Caisse d’Epargne, suffered a setback Wednesday when he
fell during the 232km stage from Cholet to here.

The former race leader and winner of the opening stage fell at the 90km
mark, suffering knee and forearm injuries according to officials, but got back
on his bike to continue the race.

His fall was apparently due to a puncture of his back wheel.