VDB breaks collarbone

Frank Vandenbroucke's short season has come to a hasty end following a dangerous crash during Paris-Tours on Sunday. The Belgian rider, who rides for Domo-Farm Frites, broke his collarbone and right elbow.

Vandenbroucke was rushed to the hospital in Tours immediately after the fall, which happened at the 203rd kilometre of the 257-km-long classic, near the foot of the Cote de la Pagode de Chantaloupe. The rider was then flown to Belgium, where he will undergo an operation.

The accident puts an end to Vandenbroucke's season, which hasn't particularly been full of success after a highly publicised doping affair in February. The Belgian is currently suspended from competing in any races on Flemish soil as a consequence until March 2003.

However, Vandenbroucke wasn't the only crash victim in Paris-Tours; Spanish rider Oscar Sevilla (Kelme), who recently finished fourth in the 2002 Vuelta a Espana, also fell and was forced to retire from the race.