Robbie Mac had a crash in 3 Dyas of West Flanders, The Johan Museeuw Disgraced Classic

Not good for MSR, Mcewen really went down hard.



Matti Breschel: Has broken the back in two places
Updated March 5, 2006

The great Danish talent Matti Breschel, was well on his way to ride to victory in Driedaagse van West Vlaanderen. The Team CSC rider had gotten in the deciding 18-man large breakaway on the last stage, where the leading Davitamon-Lotto rider, Robbie McEwen, was.

”During the stage I beated him in a sprint, which meant that I via bonus seconds was equal in time with him. This meant the final sprint for the stage would decide who would win the race”, says Matti Brechel from a Belgium hospital.

”There's no doubt at all, that it was Robbie McEwen who caused the crash. He opened the sprint, and I tried go go outside him, but then, but then he swayed the bike the first time, I continued to try to go around him though, and then he swayed the bike again so our handlebars got tangled togheter and we both crashed. He could stand up again and ride across the finish line, while I was unconsious for 45 minutes. I was told that the helmet broke and all”, tells the extremely bitter Matti Breschel.

”I have an incredible headache and backpains, and I can't remember anything from the crash happened until I got on the hospital. I definately have a concussion and have broken the back in two places. It hurts like crazy. They try to give me some painkillers, but I don't think it really works”.

During the hospital stay Team CSC's sports director Tristan Hoffmann has been by the young Dane's side and Team CSC's own doctor is on his way, so he can follow the young riders development.

”I just hope to get home soon. I simply don't want to lay here somewhere in the midlle of nowhere. The breaks should not be so complicated that I will get permanent injuries, if I don't stress myself. This means at least 6 weeks without any training, and then I don't know when I get to go to bikeraces again”.

Matti Breschel could not avoid telling that he owes Robbie McEwen a little "greeting", but that he would make it himself on the road some day.


http://www.team-csc.com/ny_news.asp?n_id=822

Bad Crash for Breschel

[05.03 19:23] Just as Team CSC's Matti Breschel saw his chance to take his first pro-victory, the young talent had to abandon his dream as an ugly crash only 50 meters before the finish line in the third stage of Driedaagse van West-Vlaanderen forced the Danish rider off his bike.

”It simply couldn't be more unlucky. Matti had the opportunity to win this stage and thereby enough bonus seconds to also win the race overall. He'd already beat Robbie McEwen in the last intermediate sprint, so there's no doubt he was flying today. He'll get his victory one day soon and the most important thing now is to get Matti back on his feet as soon as possible,” said sports director Tristan Hoffman, who could also inform that even though bruised Matti Breschel doesn't seem to have any fractures, but he'll probably stay in the hospital for another day to have some more tests done.

The final stage with start and finish in Ichtegem was won by Nico Eeckhout (Chocolade Jacques), who also won the race overall.


http://team-csc.com/ny_news.asp?n_id=823

Crash Spoils Breschel's Spring Season

[05.03 21:07] Further examinations at the hospital in Torhout have revealed fractures on Matti Breschel's seventh and eight vertebrae following his crash in Sunday's third stage of the Driedaagse van West-Vlaanderen.

”The first evaluations from the doctors here at the hospital were as it turns out too optimistic as a scan has revealed fractures on two vertebraes. This means Matti won't be taking part in any of the spring classics. It's very unlucky because it was obvious that he was in great shape and regardless it's a big shame when a stupid crash puts a rider out of commission like that. The doctors estimate a period of at least three to four weeks before he's able to resume his training. But at least he should be able to start then without complications,” explains sports director Tristan Hoffman from Belgium, where the doctors plan to release Matti Breschel from hospital on Monday.

McEwen writes about the crash on his website, he says no one's to blame -
QUOTE
I want to talk a little about the crash today in the Record 3 daagse van West Vlaanderen.
I just want to express my concern for Matti Breschel who also fell with me in the final sprint. He's in hospital with two fractured vertebrae and will hopefully recover fully in a few weeks.

It was a nasty fall BUT by no means a crazy sprint and it was bad luck for both of us. For my own own conscience I have watched the slow motion replay at least 30 times to see what happened and be sure that I'm not guilty of causing this crash. It was just bad luck that Matti's handlebar got tangled with mine. I had just passed him with 50m to go and had left plenty of room between me and the barriers. I was catapulted over the bars to the right and unfortunately for Matti he crashed left towards the barrier. We hardly touched but from what I can see in the slow mo his brake lever seemed to catch on the end of my handlebar.
So as bad as it is that we crashed, it's nobodys fault and I will check on him tomorrow in the hospital.
I'm concerned for Matti and I'm sure he'll be back riding strong soon.

As for me, bruised, strained and stiff all over. I think I may have dislocated some ribs or something in my back. I'll try to sit on the bike tomorrow and then decide if my pelvis needs to be x-rayed, they say it takes a day for any small cracks to show up.

So after analysing the video I know I did no wrong but will not blame Matti either, it's just one of those things.
If you have the opportunity watch the video.