ADELAIDE, Australia, Jan 20, 2009 (AFP) – Australian sprinter Robbie McEwen
suffered a gash and bump on his right forearm on Tuesday thanks to an
overzealous spectator at the Tour Down Under who may have compromised his race.

McEwen collided with a “big camera” as he hurtled towards the first stage
finish line at nearly 70 kilometres (45 miles) per hour, but managed to stay
on the saddle and finish fourth.

But after claiming a first victory, albeit unofficial, of the season for
his new Russian team Katusha at the pre-race criterium on Sunday, doubts now
hang over McEwen’s participation in the rest of the race.

He was taken immediately to hospital and said he would make a decision on
Wednesday morning whether to start the second stage.

McEwen, the winner of 12 stages on the Tour de France and a three-time
winner of the race’s green jersey for the points competition, could not
believe his misfortune.

“I’ll have to make a decision in the morning. I couldn’t pull on the
handlebars, so it’s obviously a worry,” said the Belgium-based Aussie after
the stage, won by German sprinter Andre Greipel.

“I was winding up my sprint when someone reached out with a big camera and
it struck me in the arm.”

Providing he has escaped any fractures, McEwen will hope some overnight
therapy allows him to continue in the race, as he bids to bolster Katusha’s
victory count in their first season in the peloton.

File Photo: CorVos Pro