ILLNESS AND CRASHES SLOW HAMMOND, HUNT AND STANNARD

Roger Hammond (High Road), Jeremy Hunt (Credit Agricole) and Ian Stannard (Landbouwkrediet) all survived the Tour of Flanders but each were affected by crashes and illness.

Hunt started the race knowing he has an intestinal virus that has been affecting his racing for several weeks. He climbed off mid-way through the Tour of Flanders and is waiting for test results. He could be put on antibiotics this week to clear up the virus but is just happy to have got the bottom of the problem after several weeks of suffering.

Ian Stannard finished 73rd, 17 minutes behind Devolder but was praised by the Landbouwkrediet team for finishing the Tour of Flanders in his first year as a professional and was rewarded for another gutsy performance with a place in the team for Wednesday?s Ghent-Wevelgem and next Sunday?s Paris-Roubaix.

?It was hard but it?s good to finish it,? he told Cycling Weekly with a smile.

?Unfortunately I crashed on a corner just before one of the climbs and then on the climb the rear mech went into the wheel. After that I was well behind but kept going because I wanted to finish. I?m glad I made it.?

Roger Hammond also crashed midway through the 264km race. He twisted his neck but fought back and finished 32nd 3-18 behind Devolder.

Roger Hammond: crashed but made up enough time to come in 32nd. Photo by Andy Jones

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