Nicolas Roche was more seriously injured in the crash that put him out of the Vuelta, with the Irish cyclist now set to be sidelined for longer.
He
has a fractured kneecap and will not ride the World Championships in Yorkshire
on the Irish team.
Roche
led the Vuelta for three stages but on the first day out of the red jersey,
last Wednesday’s stage 6, he crashed and was forced out of the race.
He
needed stitches to his left forearm and also bruised his right quadriceps; the
latter injury he said at the time was the worst.
However,
additional medical checks have revealed a fractured patella. That will take
more time to recover than believed.
And
as he now faces up to six weeks off the bike, a ride at the Worlds in England
is impossible.
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“After going through the
big disappointment of leaving the Vuelta, I held hope that I would still be
able to continue riding my bike and compete in the Italian classics once the
edema had healed,” said Roche.
“But this news has just
hit me again – now my priority is to look after my rehabilitation in the best
way possible so that I can get back healthy and on the bike ASAP.”
Team Sunweb’s Dr Camiel Aldershof explained Roche
would need at least four more weeks off the bike and up to six.
“Nicolas had a heavy
crash at the Vuelta last week sustaining multiple injuries that meant he was
unable to continue,” Dr Aldershof said.
“Upon returning home he
underwent further examinations with an MRI scan revealing a fractured left
patella.
“Nicolas will continue to
take it easy for the next few weeks and if all goes to plan, he should be back
on the bike within four-six weeks.”
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