As a result of the massive crash inside the final three kilometres of yesterday’s first stage of the Tour de Pologne, the 2009 race winner Alessandro Ballan has been forced to withdraw from what was one of his big goals of the year.
Also out is another faller in the same incident, the Polish rider Blazej Janiaczyk (Team CCC-Polsat). He suffered rib fractures and will also now have a period of enforced rest.
Ballan incurred a deep wound in his left knee. It required stitches at the Katowice general hospital.
Team-mate Danilo Wyss described how the incident happened, saying that it took place when the rider ahead of him swerved suddenly. “It was slightly downhill, so it was very fast,” he explained. “He [the rider ahead of him] went right and I had to go right as well. Alexander touched my wheel and crashed.”
Another faller from the team was Alexander Kristoff, who had finished in the opening stage and was hoping to fight for the yellow jersey. He suffered considerable road rash but will be able to start today. BMC Racing Team doctor Scott Major explained why Ballan will not.
“Alessandro has a deep abrasion and how soon he can come back depends on how well it will close,” he said.
Ballan won the UCI world road race championships in 2008. He triumphed in the 2009 Tour de Pologne while wearing the rainbow jersey, and finished fifth last year.
Stage one winner Marcel Kittel (Skil-Shimano) continues to lead, taking a dominant sprint victory yesterday.