Hesjedal sustains severe contusions and abrasions at Tour de Suisse

Canada’s Ryder Hesjedal (Garmin-Sharp) was forced to abandon the Tour de Suisse after crashing 150 kms into Stage 3 held from Montreux to Meiringen on Monday. He was transported to the hospital and is recovering from multiple severe contusions and abrasions.

Garmin-Sharp’s press officer Marya Pongrace stated,

“Ryder Hesjedal crashed during today’s stage at the Tour de Suisse, suffering a heavy blow to the neck and head. He was immediately transported to a local hospital for evaluation. Hesjedal suffered multiple, severe contusions and abrasions to the right wrist, hip and knee and left shoulder, elbow and knee. Preliminary CTs show no fractures and no neurological pathologies. He will remain under close observation by team medical staff. Hesjedal’s health is the team’s priority – depending on how his recovery progresses team medical staff as of now hopes he may be able to train in a few days time, although this will depend on his recovery.”

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Hesjedal placed ninth in the Stage 1 time trial and then made a late-race attack during Stage 2 that moved him into second place overall, three seconds behind race leader Cameron Meyer (Orica-GreenEdge).

Hesjedal’s results during the event’s opening stages proved that he was back on form after abandoning the Giro d’Italia due to a chest infection last month. He was hoping to use the Tour de Suisse as preparation for the upcoming Tour de France, which starts on June 29 on the island of Corsica.