Chris Horner departs Tour of Italy, eight Americans left in peloton

May 20, 5:20 PMCycling ExaminerJames Raia

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Eight of the starting group of 10 Americans remain in the Tour of Italy following the departure of Chris Horner (Astana) at the start of stage 11.

Horner, who had ridden strongly in support of teammate Levi Leipheimer, was in 11th position in the general classification.

Horner crashed early in stage 10 and tore muscle on the back of his leg below the knee. According to team spokesman Philippe Maertens, Horner “could barely walk.”

Horner has returned to his home in Bend, Ore., and his racing plans, including participation in the Tour de France, remain unknown.

Christian Vande Velde (Garmin-Slipstream) of Lemont, Ill., left the race in the first week with multiple fractures.

Here are the top-10 stage results and top-1o overall standings, plus American finishes, following Wednesday 11th stage:

Stage 11 Results

1. Mark Cavendish (GBR), Team Columbia-High Road, 214km in 4:51:17 (44.080kph); 2. Tyler Farrar (USA), Garmin-Slipstream, s.t.; 3. Alessandro Petacchi (ITA), LPR Brakes Farnese Vini, s.t.; 4. Allan Davis (AUS), Quick Step, s.t.; 5. Sebastien Hinault (FRA), AG2R La Mondiale, s.t.; 6. Davide Vigano' (ITA), Fuji-Servetto, s.t.; 7. Edvald Boasson Hagen (NOR), Team Columbia-High Road, s.t.; 8. Alexander Serov (RUS), Team Katusha, s.t.; 9. Oscar Gatto (ITA), ISD-Neri, s.t.; 10. Robert Forster (GER), Team Milram, s.t.

Other Americans

65. Levi Leipheimer (USA), Astana, s.t.; 86. Lance Armstrong (USA), Astana, s.t.; 120. Edward King (USA), Cervelo Test Team,  3:47; 147. Jason McCartney (USA), Team Saxo Bank, 7:56; 152. Tom Danielson (USA), Garmin-Slipstream, 7:56; 171. David Zabriskie (USA), Garmin-Slipstream, at 11:31; 172. Danny Pate (USA), Garmin-Slipstream, s.t

General Classification

1. Danilo Di Luca (ITA), LPR Brakes Farnese Vini; 2. Denis Menchov (RUS), Rabobank, 1:20;  3. Michael Rogers (AUS), Team Columbia-High Road, 1:33; Levi Leipheimer (USA), Astana, 1:40; Franco Pellizotti (ITA), Liquigas, 1:53; Carlos Sastre Candil (ESP), Cervelo Test Team, 1:54; Ivan Basso (ITA), Liquigas, 2:03; Thomas Lovkvist (SWE), Team Columbia-High Road, 2:12; David Arroyo Duran (ESP), Caisse D'epargne, 2:35; 10. Gilberto Simoni (ITA), Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni-Androni Giocattoli, 2:58.

Other Americans

16. Lance Armstrong (USA), Astana, at 5:28; 95. Tom Danielson (USA), Garmin-Slipstream, 1:08:50; 96. Jason McCartney (USA), Team Saxo Bank, 1:10:22; 125. Edward King (USA), Cervelo Test Team, 1:31:20; 140. Tyler Farrar (USA), Garmin-Slipstream,  1:45:31; 152. Danny Pate (USA), Garmin-Slipstream, 1:51:31; 167. David Zabriskie (USA), Garmin-Slipstream, 1:55:47.

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