Garmin Barracuda rider Peter Stetina has said that he considers himself very fortunate after emerging unscathed from an altercation with a car this morning.
The American climber was riding with the team when he was run into from behind by the vehicle; while his wheel was destroyed, he has confirmed that there was no other damage suffered.
"I am very lucky. The driver was attentive, and skidded to a halt and only ran over the rear wheel,” he said. “I just fell down lightly. I am 100 percent okay. Very lucky and looking forward to tomorrow."
Stetina rode his first Grand Tour last year when he debuted in the Giro d’Italia. The-then 23 year old was a very solid 21st overall, using his climbing abilities to advance up the general classification.
He’ll hope to build on that performance in the weeks ahead and, longer term, to make his debut and perform well in the Tour de France.
He will line out in the 2012 Giro d'Italia tomomorrow with Tyler Farrar, Murilo Antonio Fischer, Jack Bauer, Ryder Hesjedal, Robert Hunter, Alex Rasmussen and Christian Vande Velde. Hesjedal is the designated team leader, with Stetina and Vande Velde to play key support roles in the mountains.