American cyclist Greg LeMond injured in car crash

AMERICAN cyclist Greg LeMond, winner of three Tours de France, suffered a back injury and was hospitalised after a car accident.

LeMond

AMERICAN cyclist Greg LeMond, winner of three Tours de France, suffered a back injury and was hospitalised after a car accident near his home in Minnesota, website Velonation reported today.

The 51-year-old former world champion has no memory of the accident, which occurred on Tuesday while he was driving to the dentist in icy weather, according to the news site.

His wife Kathy said he will probably have to wear a corset for three months but should recover fully. He was expected to be discharged from the hospital by week's end and ``other than the pain in his back, he is in good shape,'' she said.

``We don't really know what happened, but there were about 400 accidents here this weekend. The roads have been terrible due to the icy conditions,'' his wife was quoted as saying.

LeMond was the first American to win the Tour de France, in 1986.

The victim of a serious hunting accident in 1987, he managed to make a comeback and win cycling's greatest race in 1989 and 1990.

He also won the World Cycling Championships in 1983 and 1989.