Suffering a hit and run hours before he was due to fly from Colombia to Spain, former T-Mobile rider Oscar Sevilla was injured yesterday when he was hit by a bus on the road from Bogota to the Alto de Patios.
The 34 year old rider suffered a deep cut to his right elbow, as well as other cuts and bruises. The driver of the bus drove off immediately after the accident.
According to Revista Munda Ciclistico, Sevilla was fortunately able to continue training. He received medical treatment and was able to make the flight with his wife Yvonne. They flew from El Dorado to Albacete, and together will wait for the birth of their daughter there.
While at home, he will also seek to obtain a certificate from the Spanish Federation declaring him clear to ride. This appears doubtful, though: he tested positive for hydroxyethyl starch in the Vuelta a Columbia and could face a lengthy ban.
The substance is the same as Ezequiel Mosquera and David Garcia were found to be using in the Vuelta a España. It is a blood plasma volume expander which can be used to disguise the increase in hematocrit that occurs with the use of EPO and other related substances.
Garcia subsequently tested positive for EPO as well, and is suspended from racing.
If Sevilla does manage to escape sanction, he will return to Colombia prior to the start of next season. He has struggled to find a top-level team since being implicated in Operación Puerto in 2006.