Two fractures for Valverde after TDF crash

Movistar rider to undergoes surgery in Germany after breaking left kneecap. Talus bone fracture also confirmed

The 2017 Tour de France barely lasted seven kilometers for Alejandro Valverde (Movistar Team) as he suffered a serious crash during the race's opening TT in Düsseldorf, which forced him to abandon.

Transferred by ambulance to the University Hospital in Düsseldorf, examinations confirmed two fractures to his left leg: one in his kneecap and another one in the talus bone. Valverde also suffered a deep wound to his tibia, without any muscle tissue affected by that cut.

The doctors taking care of Valverde's condition have decided to operate him on his kneecap fracture tonight, which means that Valverde will remain in Germany for the next few hours and the schedule for his return home is still unconfirmed.

The recovery time expected by the Movistar Team's doctors makes it unlikely for the Spaniard to return racing during the current season.

#tdf2017 LIVE: CRASH Valverde is down and he isn't getting up! Not Good! Live coverage here --> https://t.co/FxykCOrADH #tdf pic.twitter.com/un4m6E7nAj

— GranFondoGuide (@GranFondoGuide) July 1, 2017