Dumoulin set for Rio despite wrist fracture

Dumoulin set for Rio despite wrist fracture

PARIS - Dutch time-trial gold medal favourite Tom Dumoulin was given the all-clear to go to the Rio Olympics on Tuesday, just four days after fracturing his wrist in a crash at the Tour de France.

Netherlands' Tom Dumoulin crosses the finish line at the end of the 17 km individual time-trial, the eighteenth stage of the 103rd edition of the Tour de France cycling race on July 21, 2016

Dumoulin's Giant-Alpecin team said the Dutchman's injury was healing well following further check-ups and that no surgery would be necessary.

The 25-year-old crashed out of Friday's 19th stage of the Tour in pain as he hit the deck after losing control of his bike in the peloton.

"Tom has a distal radius fracture, which is a clean fracture, not in the joint and without any dislocation," said Giant team physician Anko Boelens.

"We hope the progress continues in this way in the coming weeks to be ready in time for both (road) races and to race pain-free, without his brace."

Dumoulin, who won two stages on this year's Tour, expressed his relief at the news but still faces a race against time to be fit for Rio.

"I am just really happy to be able to ride the bike again so soon," he said.

"The preparation went a little bit different than planned. However I have a good medical support with now almost two weeks to go, the brace and special exercises. We'll go for it."

Do you like the content of this article?
COMMENT