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American Christian Vande Velde will not start stage three of the Tour de France today in Wanze, Belgium. The team Garmin-Transitions rider crashed twice in yesterday's stage to Spa, fracturing two ribs and cutting his eyelid.

"I worked really hard to get myself ready to be here again and I was just starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I'm indescribably disappointed to not be starting," said Vande Velde.

"I don't ever want to have to see another day like today, whether I'm in the race or not."

Sky's Bradley Wiggins placed fourth last year thanks to the help of then team-mate Vande Velde. Vande Velde placed eighth, following up on his fourth from 2008.

Yesterday, Vande Velde crashed before the Stockeu climb and then again on the wet descent with many others, including Wiggins, Andy Schleck and Lance Armstrong. The second time he ended in a ditch.

"I'm not sure what I hit; I think it might have been a pole. At that point my eye was bleeding pretty badly and the pain in my side and my back was excruciating. I got back on the bike though, and was coming back with Andy Schleck. I tried to stay with that group, but the pain was too much."

Vande Velde finished the stage with all eight of his team-mates. Team-mate Tyler Farrar fractured his wrist, but said that he is determined to start in today's stage to Arenberg and continue on in the race as long as possible.

It "was definitely in my top five worst days on a bike," added Garmin's David Millar, who crashed but without serious injuries. "I'm very proud of the fact that all of us finished considering the disparity of some of our injuries. It reflects why our team is what it is, and why I love it."

Tour de France 2010: Latest news

The Feed Zone: News and views (July 5)

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Team Sky's decision to put Wiggins off early back fires

Millar and Thomas hold their nerve in Rotterdam rain

Armstrong defiant in wake of latest revelations

Thomas looks to prologue and sporting new stripes|

Florencio kicked out of Cervelo team on eve of Tour

Tour teams presented in Rotterdam: What the riders said

Andy Schleck faces rough ride over Tour cobbles

Riis: Tour is the goal for Schlecks despite sponsor problems

Armstrong on Arenberg: There will be carnage

Cavendish set for green jersey battle at the Tour

Hunt and Lloyd look forward to making their Tour debuts

Tour de France 2010: Stage reports

Stage two: Comeback man Chavanel takes victory in Spa

Stage one: Petacchi wins in Brussels as bunch left in tatters

Prologue: Cancellara pips Martin to win

Tour de France 2010: Photos

Stage two photo gallery

Stage one gallery

Prologue photo gallery

Tour de France 2010: Videos

Stage one video highlights

Prologue video highlights

Tour de France 2010: Race guide

Tour de France 2010: Cycling Weekly's coverage index

Official start list, with race numbers

Brits at the Tour 2010

Tout team guide

Tour jerseys: What they are and what they mean

Brits in the Tours: From Robinson to Wiggins

Tour de France 2010: Pictures

Tour team presentation, Rotterdam

Tour teams take to the cobbles: Photo special

 

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Founded in 1891, Cycling Weekly and its team of expert journalists brings cyclists in-depth reviews, extensive coverage of both professional and domestic racing, as well as fitness advice and 'brew a cuppa and put your feet up' features. Cycling Weekly serves its audience across a range of platforms, from good old-fashioned print to online journalism, and video.