Andreas Kloden (Astana) pulled back 6 seconds on teammate, Lance Armstrong (Image credit: Sirotti)
Andreas Klöden abandoned the Eneco Tour on Thursday after a wrist injury. The Astana rider had been involved in a crash with five riders just before the climb of the Old Kwaremont, about 50 kilometers into the stage from Ardooie to Brussels.
At the top of the Old Kwaremont, Klöden withdrew with a swollen left wrist. An initial examination by the race doctor was followed by one from the team doctor after the race, and neither revealed any fractures according to the team's spokesperson.
"It's a pity," said the German rider who finished sixth in the Tour de France. "After the Tour, I took some rest but I was really motivated for this race. The Saturday stage suited me especially well."
Klöden will return home to Switzerland where he will undergo further examination of his wrist. Prior to his injury, he was listed for Team Astana on the Vuelta provisional start list.
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