Poor George!

[sulis]

I was looking forward to seeing one of my favorite riders emerge out of the shadows of Lance this season. I hope his injuries don't sideline him for too long.

[FreshNewbie]

I am hoping to see him on Tour D'France and win, he truly does deserve to win. Especially, after 2005 TDF.

[Adventure Girl]

His crash yesterday at Paris-Roubaix was frightening! First, can you imagine riding a road bike over cobbles like that? Then can you imagine your steering tube breaking off and your handlebars falling OFF the bike.:eek: There was nothing he could do. He just slammed in to the ground. Hopefully the shoulder injury is minor and he'll recover quickly!

[bikerchick68]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! :( :( :( :( :(

http://www.eurosport.com/cycling/paris-roubaix/2006/sport_sto865869.shtml

Discovery have lost team leader George Hincapie due to a severe fracture, just the beginning of the fallout from a manic Paris-Roubaix.

Hincapie crashed out of Sunday's Paris-Roubaix in a day fraught with disaster for Discovery, which witnessed two of their racers get disqualified after finishing second and fourth for failing to stop at a downed train crossing.

The disqualification of Leif Hoste (finished second) and Vladimir Gusev (finished fourth) was harsh news for Lance Armstrong's former team, but the more lasting blow for Discovery is the loss of Hincapie.

The American was diagnosed with a fracture of about three centimetres between his collarbone and right shoulder on Sunday after he crashed head first when his handlebars came loose at the cobbled Mons-en-Pévèle within 50 kilometres of the race's finish.

Hincapie was scheduled to return to the United States on Monday to undergo an operation.

"We don't know yet how long Hincapie will be out of competition," team director Dirk Demol told Belgian media. "It is a severe injury, that's for sure."

[tprevost]

BC68,

I think you should go take care of him (or let him stay in your B&B) since you ARE his #1 fan ;)

Trac'

[Adventure Girl]

According to velonew:


Hincapie stateside for surgery
George Hincapie was scheduled to undergo surgery on his right shoulder Tuesday in the United States, according to Discovery Channel sporting director Dirk Demol.

The 32-year-old American, who crashed in Sunday's Paris-Roubaix, sustained a fracture between the shoulder and the clavicle, Demol said, adding that the injury will not keep him out of the Tour de France.

"George will have obviously to give up the Tour of Georgia, but he will return in Dauphiné Libéré," added Demol.

[Waverly]

I am really disappointed he won't be here for The Tour de Georgia! Poor guy! I live near the Mtn. stages of this race. I was so hoping he would! I am glad he will be able to do The Tour de France though......I hope he does really well this year!

Jessica

[bikerchick68]

WOW! Great news that they believe he will ride in the Tour!

Tracy... he is SO welcome to recoup at my place... and I'd even be willing to have his wife and baby girl stay too! See how generous I am???? :D ;)

[DeniseGoldberg]

For anyone following Hincapie's recovery - no surgery needed! Here's today's news: http://www.velonews.com/race/int/articles/9733.0.html

--- Denise

[RavenMyst]

That is GREAT news!!

[cusepack]

I just received an email from a friend in NC . . . title of email "In Honor of George". Seems as though my friend crashed yesterday on a group ride breaking his clavicle and separating his shoulder. He's going to need surgery. He said the pain popping the shoulder back in place was horrible. I've seen a shoulder popped on TLC (love that show "Trauma: Life in the ER"), and from my vantage point, I'm thinking, "knock me out, please."

Glad to hear the good news about George. Funny thing is, my friend is a photographer and was going to the Tour De Georgia. Now both will be recuperating.

K

[mmelindas]

You have a B & B, bikerchick68?? wow, got any photos of it?

[snapdragen]

Caught a falcon or hawk in his wheel, right?


I just received an email from a friend in NC . . . title of email "In Honor of George". Seems as though my friend crashed yesterday on a group ride breaking his clavicle and separating his shoulder. He's going to need surgery. He said the pain popping the shoulder back in place was horrible. I've seen a shoulder popped on TLC (love that show "Trauma: Life in the ER"), and from my vantage point, I'm thinking, "knock me out, please."

Glad to hear the good news about George. Funny thing is, my friend is a photographer and was going to the Tour De Georgia. Now both will be recuperating.

K

[Susan Otcenas]

Hincapie's fall on OLN web, for those who haven't seen it yet.

http://www.olntv.com/nw/article/view/12964/?UserDef=true&catID=76

Susan

[Cari]

Does anyone know what exactly happened to Hincapie's bike?? Jeez, OneLink bought Adelphia and now I don't have OLN. I'm lost!

~ Cari

[cusepack]

Snapdragen -

Yes, that's how it happened. Did you check out his thread on RBR? He's got the photos up. Only a few feathers and the poor fella is laid up for at least 6-8 weeks.

[bikerchick68]

You have a B & B, bikerchick68?? wow, got any photos of it?


no... sorry, that was an inside joke... LOL... Tracy has been to my house... I have a guest room where numerous different cyclists have stayed when they come to town to ride different events... :)

[CorsairMac]

Cari: from the video - his handlebars snapped off at the stem and he went down - hard. It was a very ugly fall and I would Love to know what Treks statement is on this or if it's a Trek issue?

[RoadRaven]

OH no!

I have been so busy I hadn't caught up with this... lets hope he mends well and stays on track for the Tour

Thanks for the links everyone, have just been reading them. Most appreciated.

[aka_kim]

Velonews had a picture of the broken bike here (http://www.velonews.com/view_full.php?image=/images/int/9720.14346.f.jpg). The stem looks OK... maybe the steerer tube snapped?

[laughlaugh18]

I saw an interview with Bruyneel at one of the cycling websites (can't remember which). He said the current thinking is that the steer tube/stem was damaged in Hincapie's first crash of the day, and that all the sbusequent bumping on the cobbles ultimately led to the snap. Apparently they were talking about when to swap out his bike shortly before the second crash. Bummer!

[snapdragen]

Snapdragen -

Yes, that's how it happened. Did you check out his thread on RBR? He's got the photos up. Only a few feathers and the poor fella is laid up for at least 6-8 weeks.

Yes, I saw it there. Hope he heals quickly!