Armstrong suffers broken collarbone
Lance Armstrong's Tour de France comeback preparations suffered a major setback on Monday when he suffered a broken right collarbone, crashing out of a low-profile race in Spain.
The seven-time Tour winner suffered a fall on stage one of the Vuelta a Castilla y Leon. Several other riders were involved in the accident, which happened about 20km from the end of the 170km stage on a section of narrow roads.
"In 17 years as a pro, I have been lucky to avoid one of the most common cycling injuries," Armstrong said on his team Astana's official website. "The crash has put my upcoming calendar in jeopardy, but the most important thing for me right now is to get back home and rest up and begin my rehab."
On the American's schedule this summer are the Giro D'Italia, followed by his much-heralded Tour de France comeback in July.
The 37-year-old won the last of his titles in cycling's most famous race in 2005, after which he announced his retirement.
It is approximately six weeks to the start of the Giro, which lasts from May 9 to 31.
"It's going to be difficult to be in the Giro." he added.
"I'm very disappointed. It's something new for me, and I feel very bad."
