Friday, July 17, 2009

Injured Leipheimer withdraws from race


Lance Armstrong's teammate Levi Leipheimer withdrew from the Tour de France before Friday's 13th stage after breaking his wrist in a crash, his Astana team said.

AP Photo/Peter DejongHis broken wrist in a cast, American Levi Leipheimer's Tour de France is over after 12 stages.


Leipheimer fell off his bike about 1.86 miles from the finish line Thursday in a crash involving two-time Tour runner-up Cadel Evans.


The American was fourth overall, 39 seconds behind race leader Rinaldo Nocentini of Italy.
"Woke up to bad news. Levi is out with a broken wrist. Damn...," Armstrong said on his Twitter feed.


Leipheimer and Armstrong have a close relationship within the Astana team, which Armstrong says is riven by "tension" with Alberto Contador of Spain.

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