Rojas hoping for early return

By Antonio J. Salmerón

José Joaquín Rojas, the young and promising Caisse d'Epargne rider who was injured after being hit by a car while training earlier this month is recovering well from the injuries he sustained. His team announced that he had fractured his 3rd and 4th vertebrae, but Rojas is very optimistic and wants to get back on the bike "as soon as possible".

Rojas told Cyclingnews that he only feels small pains when he gets up or lies down, and that this gives him hope that he can return sooner than expected. In fact, Rojas considered starting training again "this next Monday". The proximity of Classics such as the Gent-Wevelgem on April 11th, makes him think that he could possibly start racing then. "I could arrange to be there, but mainly, in Paris-Roubaix (15 April), which is a special dream for me."

It is likely that his doctors will balk at the idea of him racing on cobblestones with a fractured spine, however. The Amstel Gold Race, Fleche-Wallone or Liege-Bastogne-Liege seem a more likely return for the young Spaniard.