Apologies if this was posted. Let’s discuss how this affects the rest of the year and the entire program for Astana…looks like Contador could sweep the big tours…could also mess up Armstrong’s shoulder for 2010 Kona (swim leg) 
From Velonews.com Armstrong crashes out of Castilla y León By Andrew Hood Posted Mar. 23, 2009 
Astana teammates Lance Armstrong and Alberto Contador riding in stage 1 of Castilla y León. Photo: AFP
Lance Armstrong crashed hard in Monday’s opening stage of the Vuelta a Castilla y León and was transported by ambulance to a hospital in nearby Palencia, Spain.
First indications appear that the seven-time Tour de France champion seriously injured his right shoulder and might have broken his collarbone.
The pack was roaring down a narrow farm road over rough surfaces. It appeared that riders clipped wheels, sending at least a dozen skittering to the ground. Armstrong was knocked off the road and was sitting on the ground, cradling his right arm, an indication that he injured his shoulder. Initial reports indicate a likely broken clavicle, but there are no official medical reports yet.
Astana teammate Tomas Vaitkus, who also went down in the pile-up, approached Armstrong, but he waved him off. Vaitkus remounted his bike and continued in the race.
The crash occurred on a narrow road as the peloton was ramping up its speed to reel in two attacking riders with about 20km to go in the 168.3km first stage from Parades de Nava to Baltanás in northern Spain.
The 37-year-old Armstrong waved to a race doctor and was helped into an ambulance.
Armstrong returned to Europe this month and completed the 298km Milan-San Remo on Saturday, finishing 118th. The Castilla y León race was his first European stage race since winning his seventh and final Tour in 2005.
Armstrong is scheduled to race the Giro d’Italia, May 9-31.
Riders with broken collarbones typically return to competition between four to six weeks after the injury.
Check back for more information in this developing story.