JIM VERTUNO AP Sports Writer, AUSTIN, Texas (AP) Lance Armstrong is planning to ride in the Giro d’Italia in May even though his broken collarbone is a bit more serious than first thought.

“I think the Giro is still very doable,” the seven-time Tour de France champion said Tuesday night during a conference call with reporters. “This is definitely a setback, no doubt. It’s the biggest setback I’ve ever had in my cycling career, so it’s a new experience for me.”

Although initial indications were it was a clean break, the 37-year-old American cyclist said new tests in Austin showed “multiple pieces” of broken bone.

He will have surgery Wednesday, and Austin sports medicine specialist Dr. Douglas Elenz, an orthopedic surgeon, will insert a plate to stabilize the collarbone.

“I think they try to put the puzzle back together,” Armstrong said.

Armstrong crashed Monday in the first stage of the Vuelta of Castilla and Leon race in northern Spain. He flew home to Austin on Tuesday and went straight to visit Elenz.

After surgery, Armstrong will take a mandatory 72-hour rest period. Then the surgeon will determine if Armstrong can get on an indoor training bike to resume his workouts.

Although the recovery typically takes four to six weeks, Armstrong hopes his will be faster.

“It’s a very common cycling injury,” he said. “You hear of guys who race two weeks later, you hear of guys who race two months later.”

The Giro runs from May 9-31. The Tour de France is July 4-26.

Armstrong said he was frustrated the injury happened just as he was getting into top shape. He was among the top 10 riders for much of the race Monday before he crashed about 12 miles from the end of the stage. Astana team manager Johan Bruyneel said Armstrong hit the ground hard with his head, breaking his helmet.

“I felt like my condition was really coming to a point where I was going to be able to ride in the front of the races,” he said.

But Armstrong insisted it won’t change his plans for the Giro or compromise his training for his return to the Tour, where he won seven consecutive titles from 1999-2006.

“I don’t think this changes anything for the Tour de France,” Bruyneel said earlier Tuesday in Spain. “A broken collarbone in the month of March does not at all compromise the start of the Tour de France or your performance in the Tour de France.”

Still, the injury likely will force a shift in strategy for the Giro.

“Being at the start of the Giro is no problem,” Bruyneel said. “But he has to have at least a decent level to be in the race and to compete at a certain level. … Now it’s almost clear that he’s not going to be able to be a contender but we just have to change our focus and try to do the Giro, if he can get to the start, with another mentality.”

Armstrong, diagnosed with testicular cancer that had spread to his lungs and brain in 1996, has said the primary focus of his comeback is to spread his Livestrong message.

Asked if he felt his comeback was doomed when he crashed, Armstrong admitted he was a bit stunned at first.

“Lying in the ditch in that situation, yeah, but I think that’s normal. You sort of ask yourself what the hell am I doing here?” Armstrong said.

“But laying in that ditch with a shattered collarbone was a lot better than other health scares I’ve had.”

He seemed to be a man in a hurry. The sense he didn’t have much time to make this comeback work. It’s difficult to hurry fitness and Lance races for one reason – to win.

Sure he was in the recent Milano-Sanremo race for training. He knew it was a race he would not win, but he was in it to be ready to race and win the Giro and maybe the Tour later this year. He had the same mindset this week at the week-long stage race the Vuelta a Castilla y León. This race gave him the chance to test his time trailing against the best in the world and his climbing skills. The added bonus was to leave his mark within his Astana team. His greatest rival for this years tour is his own teammate, Alberto Contador. This race both would ride and establish leadership within the team.

Watching Lance in his first races, the Tour Down Under and Tour of California he was finishing well, but not riding to my eyes. He was riding like he did when he was younger, with power and determination, not style and as the French would say, souple. His coach Chris Carmichael talked at length about how Lance rode a higher cadence while climbing then his competition. His 90 rpms to their 70 to 75 while on major climbs was his secret. Here’s what Carmichael told Lennard Zinn of Velonews a few years back, “A big guy like Ullrich probably needs to use a bigger gear, since he has bigger muscles. It’s very individual. For Lance, the higher cadence works because he has an efficient pedal stroke and it allows him to go as fast while his watts per pedal stroke are lower. On the flip side, it takes better aerobic conditioning to pedal at higher cadence. And you have to train a lot at high cadence to develop efficiency. Most people are more efficient at 80rpm than they are at 90rpm.”

Recently he bike speed equaled most of his competitors, but his leg speed was slower. He needs time to get his fluid style back. His cross training and running didn’t help this. For years he trained his body to do one thing and only one thing, spin his gears. The past three years he ran and lifted weights, neither helped his cadence. He won week-long races riding his power style in the past, but a three week race requires his supple style. Not only for the race but it allows him to recover between stages better.

This break will force him to slow down and reevaluate his comeback. Maybe he should ride most of the races in support of Contador and not press so much. This will give his body time to adjust back to that of a cyclist. He needs a greater base to redevelop his special form. His mid-life crisis can last another year, and still win his either Tour at age 38.

The United States Military Academy is hosting their 26th Annual Army Spring Classic April 4th and 5th. On Saturday there will be a Team Time Trail and Circuit Race at Camp Buckner. Sunday will be a Individual Hill Climb and Criterium will be at West Point.

This looks to be a terrific weekend of both men and women’s collegiate cycling.

Saturday April 4th
The Team Time Trail is a beautiful event to watch. I’ve seen the cadet’s race in this fashion at the U.S. Air Force Cycling Classic in Alexander VA last year. Here they will race 7.5 to 15 miles depending on level of athlete. The race will begin at 7:30am.

Following the TTT will be a very challenging circuit race. The course covers a 2.07 mile loop along Start and finish in Camp Buckner loop onto Rt 293 into area K up a very steep power climb, then down a fast descent past Lake Popolopen before the finish. It will begin at 09:30am with D level men racing for 30 minutes, C men and B women will race 45 minutes, B men and A women will race 55 minutes, and the A men will race 80 minutes.

Sunday April 5th
The Individual Hill Climb will begin at 7:45 and climb Stony Lonesome. The 2.5 mile course will put every rider at their limits. Riders will leave in 30-second intervals.

Beginning at 10:00am the criterium will lap around Shea Stadium. The races will be 25 minutes through 60 minutes. There are may great spectator spots along the course and you can see much of the course.

The race is open to spectators you will need a photo ID to get onto West Point.

This is a huge task to put on a race of this magnitude and West Point would welcome your support if you know cycling and would like to volunteer. For information please contact Jeremy.may@usma.edu

NEW YORK (AP) Matt Lauer is recovering from surgery to repair the shoulder he separated when he fell off his bike while avoiding a deer that jumped in his path.

“Today” show news anchor Ann Curry says the operation went “very well,” but Lauer is probably in “a lot of pain.”

Lauer’s fill-in, Lester Holt, said on Tuesday’s show that Lauer hopes to be back later this week.

Holt held up a headline in the New York Daily News that read: “Matt Goes Splat.”

Lauer was riding his bike on Long Island last weekend when a deer jumped in his path. The 51-year-old “Today” show host flew over the handlebars. NBC says Lauer was wearing a helmet.

Just a note to Cycling Central readers. So far Stories on our website about Matt Lauer cycling accident have received more views then stories about Lance Armstong crash. I find that interesing.

And Matt, if you’re reading – I’d look forward to a ride one day.

CORTLAND, N.Y. (AP) — The Empire State Senior Games are back on. Still no word on the whole Empire State Games for all ages.

The organization’s Web site says the competition for New York state residents age 50 and older will be held June 2-7 at SUNY-Cortland in Cortland, N.Y.

The state parks department announced nearly two months ago that the senior games would be suspended in the fiscal year beginning in April because of the state’s massive budget deficits.

The senior games attract nearly 2,000 athletes from across the state. They participate in more than 20 competitive sports, including archery, basketball, bowling, cycling, golf, orienteering, swimming, track and field, volleyball, triathlon, and race walking.

America’s Levi Leipheimer won today’s time trial at the 24th Vuelta a Castilla y León over Astana teammate Alberto Contrador and countryman David Zabriskie of team Garmin-Slipstream.

This is the same race that Lance Armstrong crashed in yesterday breaking his collarbone. Looks like Levi may try and step in and fill Armstrong’s shoes for the upcoming Giro as team-leader. His 18 second victory over defending champion Contrador in the 28.2 kilometer time trial shows he’s on form. The rest of the week’s race will include many mountain passes.

Today’s stage results for the 28.2k (17.5 miles ) time trial – avergae speed 30.64mph

1 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Astana 33.17
2 Alberto Contador (Spa) Astana 0.18
3 David Zabriskie (USA) Garmin-Slipstream 0.22
4 Denis Menchov (Spa) Rabobank 0.55

Ever get dropped by a group of riders you’re used to pace-lining with?

That’s what happened to me Sunday when I took my first club ride of the season after a nearly two-month winter layoff.

The posted ride description sounded innocent enough: About 33 miles, mostly long flats with a couple of hills sprinkled in.

Forty-five miles and a series of steady climbs later, I limped back to the parking lot last out of seven riders, five to ten minutes behind the main group.

The last six miles were straight into a gusting wind and I climbed the last hill at about 4 mph – about half the speed I hit during the season. My legs didn’t ache – they just didn’t respond.

The guys looked at me pityingly as I sat on the bumper of my car, waiting for the strength to pull off my shoes and load my bike into the hatchback.

They other riders had more miles than me this year; some rode year-round.

So much for cross training. Nothing substitutes for miles in the saddle.

Now I’ve got to play catch-up: It’s three weeks to my first ride lead of the season.

By CIARAN GILES Associated Press Writer, PALENCIA, Spain (AP) Astana manager Johan Bruyneel is confident that Lance Armstrong’s broken collarbone will not prevent him from taking part in either the Giro d’Italia or the Tour de France.

Bruyneel says he doesn’t think “this changes anything for the Tour de France.” He says a broken collar bone in March doesn’t mean Armstrong won’t be ready for the Tour de France in July. (AP Photo of Armstrong and Bruyneel after their seventh Tour de France victory.)

Armstrong stayed in Bruyneel’s house in Madrid on Monday night before flying out Tuesday to the United States for possible surgery on his collarbone.

Armstrong broke his collarbone Monday after a pileup in the first stage of the Vuelta of Castilla and Leon race in Spain.

MILAN (AP) Organizers for the Giro d’Italia are still holding out slim hopes that Lance Armstrong will enter the race after the seven-time Tour de France winner broke his collarbone.

“We’re used to watching Armstrong pull off miracles, so we’re still hoping he can do one more,” Giro director Angelo Zomegnan told The Associated Press on Tuesday.

Armstrong was flying to the United States for surgery after crashing Monday in Spain during the Vuelta of Castilla and Leon race.

“I think for the Giro it’s a very big problem,” Armstrong said as he left Valladolid University Hospital on Monday, adding that he would have surgery in a couple days.

“We’re going to wait until the operation and see what his physical situation is. Sure we’re worried,” said Zomegnan, adding that he has been in contact with Armstrong’s advisers after the crash.

Armstrong returned from three and a half years of retirement at the start of this season and was planning on racing the Giro for the first time.

This year’s race is scheduled for May 9-31.

To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Giro, organizers have prepared a special route for this year’s race passing through nearly all of Italy’s major cities. It will start in Venice and conclude in Rome.

Earlier this month, Armstrong inspected a key individual time trial for the Giro — a 38.34-mile race against the clock in the coastline area known as Cinque Terre, scheduled for stage 12 on May 21.

It is also unclear if Armstrong will be able to ride in the Tour de France, which is held July 4-26.

By CIARAN GILES Associated Press Writer, BALTANAS, Spain (AP) With the road narrowing and cyclists piling up in front of him, Lance Armstrong tumbled hard off his bike.

He was left with a broken collarbone that will need surgery and questions about whether he’ll be able to contend for an eighth Tour de France title in July.

“I’m alive!” he wrote on his Twitter feed. “Broken clavicle (right). Hurts like hell for now. Surgery in a couple of days. Thanks for all the well wishes.”

Armstrong will fly back to the United States after being knocked out of the first stage of the Vuelta of Castilla and Leon stage race in Spain.

“The crash has put my upcoming calendar in jeopardy, but the most important thing for me right now is to get back home and rest up and begin my rehab,” he said in a statement.

Armstrong, who has a home in Aspen, Colo., is scheduled to compete in the Giro d’Italia from May 9-May 31, then the Tour de France from July 4-26.

“I think for the Giro it’s a very big problem,” Armstrong said as he left Valladolid University Hospital. “For now, the biggest problem is just the pain.”

Armstrong won seven straight Tours from 1999-2005 before retiring. He returned after 3½ years, and at 37 was hoping for another triumphant ride through Paris.

Astana team leader Johan Bruyneel said on his Twitter feed there were no complications in the break, and suggested Armstrong could be riding soon.

“Clean collarbone fracture,” Bruyneel said. “Should be fast recovery.”

Added Astana spokesman Philippe Maertens: “We are confident he can still race the Tour de France, of course. He will be off the bike, but he can still do condition training.”

Armstrong was tossed off his bike during a pileup 12½ miles from the stage’s finish Monday. The Texan was grimacing and trying to hold his right arm as he entered an ambulance.

“I’ve never had this happen before; it’s pretty painful,” he said. “I feel really miserable.”

After falling off his bike, Armstrong sat in the grass beside the road, his right shoulder slumped and his wrist resting on his right thigh. When help arrived, he motioned toward his right shoulder. Armstrong eventually walked to the ambulance and climbed into the back.

Astana teammate Levi Leipheimer described the pileup on his Twitter feed.

“Lance was involved in a huge crash as the road narrowed and became very rough,” Leipheimer wrote. “He wasn’t far from the front, as he was riding top 10 all day.”

Armstrong said the crash was no one’s fault.

“Toward the end of the race people started getting excited, a bit of wind, some hills and everybody wanting to be at the front,” he said. “A couple of guys crashed in front of me, I crossed my wheel, then I hit them and over the top.”

Armstrong was first taken to Rio Carrion hospital in Palencia, then to the hospital in Valladolid. In his statement, Armstrong said he had “been lucky to avoid one of the most common cycling injuries” in his 17-year career.

“It has been a pity to lose Lance because we see him with desire of doing a good preparation in this race,” said Alberto Contador, Armstrong’s teammate and biggest rival for the role of team leader. “Now only I can support him and wish him to recover as soon as possible in order to take the start on the Giro.”

This was Armstrong’s first stage race in Europe since winning the 2005 Tour. Armstrong started his comeback at the Tour Down Under in Australia in January, where he finished 29th overall, 49 seconds behind winner Allan Davis of Australia. He then finished seventh in the Tour of California in February.

On Saturday, Armstrong raced in the Milan-San Remo cycling classic and finished 125th, 8 minutes, 19 seconds behind winner Mark Cavendish.

The mainly flat first stage of the Castilla and Leon covered 109 miles from Paredes de Nava to Baltanas. It was won by Joaquin Sobrino Martinez of Burgos Monumental in 4 hours, 31 minutes, 53 seconds after a sprint finish. He was followed by David Vitoria of Rock Racing and Jose Joaquin Rojas of Caisse d’Epargne.

AP Photos