A bad crash in yesterday’s Paris-Camembert has led to Dimitri Champion being sidelined for several weeks, with the Frenchman incurring a head injury plus a fractured transverse process of the L5 vertebra. He also has multiple bruises as well as cuts to his hip and left elbow.
The crash happened in the finishing sprint, where he hit the ground “It's not going too well. I'm dazed today. It's worse than yesterday! I have not slept too much,” he said earlier today on his personal site.
His Ag2r La Mondiale team indicated today that he could return to training in three weeks time, with the medical officer Dr. Eric Bouvat helping to determine precisely when he will get the green light.
However Champion said that this is over-optimistic. “I must remain lying down for 21 days,” he said. “I can not even sit down. There is no alternative for the vertebra. Even if all goes well, I'll be lying down at least 21 days.
The aptly-named Champion was best rider in the French nationals in 2009. He had a quiet season last year, and is aiming to get back to clocking up good results this season. His best performance thus far in 2011 has been 18th in the time trial at Criterium International.