Candi Murray

Broken hand won't stop Olson
Riding the cobblestones of Paris-Roubaix is never easy, but it's even harder
with a broken hand.

Aaron Olson (Saunier Duval) didn't finish his first start in the Hell of the
North last weekend, but for good reason. X-rays taken Monday upon his return
to Spain revealed a fracture in his left hand suffered during the Tour de
Flanders on April 2.

"I have a fracture in my left hand and more painful is the torn ligaments,"
Olson told VeloNews in an e-mail. "The good news is that the training has
good well, and, unlike during the week of the classics, I am gaining
strength in my left hand each day and it is healing well."

Olson lined up for the start of Roubaix despite a brace wrapped around his
left hand. He said he got slammed up against some race barriers at Flanders
and his hand was trapped between the handlebars for several yards.

Despite the injury, Olson is scheduled to fly to Georgia on Saturday to
start next week's Tour de Georgia where he hopes "to have a good ride."

Candi Murray
Executive Director
Oregon Bicycle Racing Assn