Wednesday's third stage of the Tour of Poland saw birthday boy Thomas Dekker crash hard because of a straying dog, injuring his left wrist. The Rabobank rider wasn't the only one hitting the tarmac - Spaniard Juan Antonio Flecha also went down, but could continue the race, unlike the 22 year-old Dekker. He struggled on for more than one hour after the crash, but was then taken to hospital, where doctors feared a fracture. Fortunately, it turned out no bones were broken.
Dekker had been preparing the World Championships in Poland. "That event is not in doubt," said team director Erik Breukink. "He will be able to ride some races in the meantime. But it is a disappointment - he was very motivated for the course."
