Tour de France 2014: Former winner Andy Schleck ruled out of Tour after injuring his knee in London crash
Schleck crashed twice on Monday, but despite hitting a spectator in the second accident it was the first that has ruled him out of the Tour
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The Tour de France will be a rider lighter from today onwards, after Trek Factory Racing’s Andy Schleck was forced to withdraw from the race due to injury.
Schleck, a former winner of the Tour just four years ago pulled out on the morning of Tuesday’s Stage 4 to Lille, following the lingering effects of a crash suffered on the outskirts of London yesterday.
“We are sad to announce that Andy Schleck cannot take the in the Tour today. The ligaments and meniscus are too damaged from his crash in yesterday’s finale,” said his team in a statement issued on Twitter.
Schleck fell twice during yesterday’s stage from Cambridge into London. First he collided with a fellow rider 27km from the finish; then he hit a spectator and went tumbling. But it was the first incident that caused the majority of his injuries.
This is just the latest setback for the Luxembourger in a career that was considered brilliant as recently as three years ago, when he finished as runner-up in the 2011 Tour de France. He came into the 2014 Tour expecting to support brother Frank in the mountains, and performed well on Sunday’s tough stage to Sheffield.
He will now travel to Basel for “examination and a possible operation,” according to his team.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments