Arvesen quits Vuelta with crash injuries

Kurt-Asle Arvesen, Vuelta a Espana 2011, stage six

Sky's Kurt-Asle Arvesen has had to abandon the Vuelta after 143 kilometres of racing on Thursday, the Vuelta's website reported, saying that the Norwegian's injuries from a crash on Wednesday were behind his quitting.

Arvesen accidently collided with a young spectator in a crash during yesterday's stage to Valdepeñas. Thankfully, the spectator's injuries were limited to a cut nose and lip and the child was due to leave hospital today [Thursday] but Arvesen's body were covered with cuts and bruises and he complained of a sore left knee.

In a press release yesterday Sky's sports director Steve De Jongh said "There's not much skin left on his knees and back so we'll see what happens in terms of him being able to carry on." He also added that Arvesen's biggest concern had been whether the spectator was ok - and Sky contacted the boy's father, who confirmed that he was all right.

The Vuelta was due to be Arvesen's last Grand Tour before retiring at the end of the season. His role in Sky's Vuelta line-up was that of team captain on the road.

So far there had been few abandons in the Vuelta, although some big names like Mark Cavendish and Matt Goss (both HTC-Highroad) have gone, but today's stage to Cordoba is reversing the trend.

The 193 kilometre grind across some seriously hilly (and of course baking hot, we're back up into the high thirties yet again) terrain in north-eastern Andalusia has also seen Matti Breschel (Rabobank), the winner of the stage into Madrid a few years back, quit after crashing in the neutralised section.

Former French national champion Nicholas Vogondy (Cofidis) and Johann Tschopp (BMC) also abandoned, and Alessandro Petacchi (Lampre) has been seen dropping back to the race doctor's car for unspecified reasons.

Oscar Freire (Rabobank), who won in Cordoba back in 2000 in his rainbow jersey of World Champion, is also reported to be sick and contemplating pulling out.

Kurt-Asle Arvesen, Vuelta a Espana 2011, stage six

Arvesen at the beginning of stage six, before his injuries got the better of him

Related links

Vuelta a Espana 2011: Cycling Weekly's coverage index

Vuelta a Espana 2011: Latest news

Wiggins pleased with strong ride in Spanish sierras

Cavendish abandons Vuelta a Espana

Cavendish battles on in summer scorcher in Vuelta

Vuelta heads for first major showdown on Tuesday

Matt Goss first rider to abandon Vuelta

Team Sky's TTT horror on troublesome course

Dan Martin confident and collected as Vuelta team leader

Pro predictions: Who will win the Vuelta?

HTC-Highroad's reservations about TTT course

Vuelta team time trial start order

Sky plans early start for Vuelta team time trial recon

Wiggins looking to minimise losses in testing Vuelta TTT

Riders voice support for Hushovd over Vuelta exclusion

Cancellara late to Vuelta after being hospitalised by bee sting

Nibali back for victory again in 2011 Vuelta

Wiggins: "I'm in a great position going into the Vuelta"

Wiggins confirmed as Sky leader for the Vuelta

Freire: It'll be tough in the Vuelta with Cavendish

Hushovd left out of Vuelta; Dan Martin to lead Garmin-Cervelo

Cavendish and Wiggins on provisional Vuelta start list

Climbers set to dominate in 2011 Vuelta

Millar on 2011 Vuelta: 'Modern-looking and very challenging"

2011 Vuelta set to return to Angliru and Basque country

Angliru back in 2011 Tour of Spain

Hushovd left out of Vuelta; Martin to lead Garmin-Cervélo

Vuelta a Espana 2011: Teams, riders, start list

Vuelta a Espana 2011: Who's riding?

Vuelta a Espana 2011 team list

Vuelta a Espana 2011

: Stage reports

Stage four: Moreno wins first mountain skirmish at Sierra Nevada

Stage three: Lastras solos to stage and takes red jersey

Stage two: Sutton grabs stage win to set things right for Sky

Stage one: Leopard-Trek win opening TTT to put Fuglsang in front

Vuelta a Espana 2011: Photo galleries

By Graham Watson

Stage four photo gallery

Stage three photo gallery

Stage two photo gallery

Stage one photo gallery

Vuelta a Espana 2011: TV guide

Vuelta a Espana 2011: ITV4 TV schedule

Vuelta a Espana 2011: British Eurosport TV schedule

ITV to show 2011 Vuelta

 

Thank you for reading 10 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access

Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription

Join now for unlimited access

Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

Founded in 1891, Cycling Weekly and its team of expert journalists brings cyclists in-depth reviews, extensive coverage of both professional and domestic racing, as well as fitness advice and 'brew a cuppa and put your feet up' features. Cycling Weekly serves its audience across a range of platforms, from good old-fashioned print to online journalism, and video.