Euskaltel super domestique despondent following crash that took Igor Anton and himself out of the Vuelta
The incredible Vuelta a Espana of both Igor Anton and his Euskaltel-Euskadi team came to a crashing halt today in the kilometers leading up to the final climb of the Pena Cabarga. Euskaltel lost not only race leader Igor Anton, but top domestique, Egoi Martinez as well. The mountains classification winner at this year's Criterium Dauphine cried in despair on the ground following the crash, filled with the frustration of coming so close to what would surely have been one of the best results in Euskaltel's long history.
"It's the second that that I've cried during my whole career. I cried on the ground, because we do not deserve so much misfortune. We were giving the impression of a solid team, because we were finally motivated to give everything to our leader and his chance to win this Vuelta," said the Basque rider to Es Ciclismo following his discharge from the hospital Saturday evening.
The 32 year old climber was on the wheel of Anton when the fortunes of the Basque team went completely awry.
"I was on the wheel of Anton, because the wheel was very fast and nervous. I was getting ready to take him to the front of the pack, so he could start the climb in good position, but then he hit a pothole or a branch, because both hands slipped from his bars, and that was it, he was on the ground. I wasn't able to avoid it, and I collided with him."
Afterwards, it was found that Martinez had not broken anything, but his injuries were still far too great to continue.
"I'm in the hotel and fortunately, though I'm knackered, I have no fracture. Doctors found a dislocated shoulder and a sharp trauma to the chest and the neck. I will be out for a week to monitor my internal bleeding, and I will also have my arm in a sling, from there though, I should be able to return soon."
The Vuelta is certainly not completely over for the Basque team, as they still have a number of great riders in with a chance in the mountains, but dreams of general classification glory will have to wait until next season.