Tour de France
Another blow for RadioShack
2011-07-12 11:15
France - American Tour de france team RadioShack announced on Tuesday that Ukrainian Yaroslav Popovych has withdrawn from the race because of fever.
VIDEO: Tour de France crashes
Popovych, who pulled out of the race before the start of the 158km 10th stage from Aurillac to Carmaux, joins teammates Chris Horner and Janez Brajkovic in leaving the race prematurely.
Both riders pulled out of the tournament after they were involved in the same crash, with Brajkovic breaking his collarbone and and Horner suffering a severe concussion and fracturing his nose.
RadioShack still have team leader Andreas Kloden, but the German suffered a back injury in the crash-marred ninth stage on Sunday. Kloden rode with the team on Monday's rest day and will start Tuesday's stage despite still being in pain.
Popovych crashed twice in stage five, but battled through the pain to continue the race. A team statement said that he would be undergoing tests on his health.
Another team leader, Levi Leipheimer, has also crashed several times and is currently placed 36th at 7min 16sec behind French race leader Thomas Voeckler of Europcar.
The high amount of serious crashes and severity of injuries suffered by riders during this year's Tour has shocked several onlookers.
Four riders were forced out of the race after a huge pile-up on a descent, while Spain's Juan-Antonio Flecha and Dutchman Johnny Hoogerland were hit by a television car. Flecha hurt his elbow and Hoogerland lacerated his legs on a barbed-wire fence.