Flecha "a little sick"

Juan Antonio Flecha of Rabobank finished eighth in the first stage of the 3-Länder Tour yesterday, but it wasn't easy. For one thing, it is a tricky race, with multiple climbs every day. For another, the Spaniard isn't feeling well, which isn't good news for the Spanish national team, as he is scheduled to ride the Worlds road race next week in Stuttgart.

Flecha was feeling "a little sick," team manager Erik Dekker said on the team's website, rabobank.nl. "He performed great, if you take that into account, because he finished with the first group." He added, "He was not really hopeless, but he did feel a little sick. But he did ride very strong." To be on the safe side, he was given a private hotel room.