Andreas Klöden had to abandon in the Eneco Tour due to a wrist injury. Klöden was involved in a crash with five riders just before the climb of the Old Kwaremont, after 50 kilometer in the stage from Ardooie to Brussels. At the top of the climb he was unable to continue the race because of a swollen left wrist. A first examination by the race doctor did not reveal any fracture, contrary to many uncontrolled reports in some media. Andreas Klöden returns home now to Switzerland where his wrist will be examined again.

“It’s a pity”, said the German rider, sixth in last Tour de France. “After the Tour, I took some rest but I was really motivated for this race. Especially the Saturday stage suited me well.”

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Next Sunday Alberto Contador will not start in the Grand Prix Ouest-France in Plouay. The winner of the 2009 Tour de France had to stop his training program due to a cold. “I do not want to reappear after the Tour de France without being able to ride decent race, that’s why I prefer not to take the start and to recover completely”, explained Alberto Contador.

Contador plans to take a break from August 24th till the end of September.
“Now I will take a real holiday,” he says. “Then I will ride a criterium in Bavikhove (Belgium) on September 6th. In that period we will evaluate a possible participation to the World Championships in Mendrisio.”