Soler bruised but not broken

The 2007 Tour de France king of the mountains, Mauricio Soler, crashed out of the Coppa Agostoni this week after only 10 kilometres of racing. Team doctor Massimiliano Mantovani took the Team Barloworld climber to the hospital in Carate Brianza for x-rays. According to the team's website, teambarloworld.com, his right elbow was badly bruised but not broken. He is expected to start training again soon.

The Colombian rider became widely known by winning the Tour de France stage to Briançon and claming the Maillot Blanc à Pois Rouges of best climber. Showing continued good form, he recently won the Vuelta a Burgos.