Tour of Spain champion Chris Horner has been taken to hospital following a training crash with a car around Lake Como, Italy, his Lampre team said Friday.
The 42-year-old American, who was born in Japan and is the oldest ever winner of a Grand Tour, suffered a punctured lung and broken ribs in the accident.
“The American cyclist Chris Horner had an unfortunate accident while out training around Lake Como,” said a statement from the Italian team.
“The details of the accident are still to be evaluated, however it seems that in the afternoon he was probably hit by a car while riding on the Lecco side of the lake.
“He was immediately transported to Lecco hospital where the team’s medical doctor (Luca Pollastri) met him to evaluate the circumstances with the hospital’s doctors.
“The medical checks taken show no head concussion, but a punctured lung, four broken ribs and cuts in his head which required stitches.”
With a best Tour de France finish of ninth in 2010, Horner finally delivered on his Grand Tour potential by winning last year’s Vuelta a Espana just before turning 42.
His other notable results included an overall victory at the Tour of the Basque Country in 2010 and the Tour of California in 2011.
He was also a reasonably successful rider in the Spring Classics with top 10 finishes at all three Ardennes Classics in 2010.