From heaven to hell: Maikel Zijlaard breaks elbow after falling in Tour de Romandie

Update Maikel Zijlaard broke his elbow during the second stage of the Tour de Romandie. Two days earlier, the Dutchman won the prologue in Switzerland. Zijlaard himself confirmed the news CyclingFlits.

Last Tuesday, Zijlaard achieved the fastest time in the streets of Payerne in a prologue of 2.28 kilometers. “It’s simply amazing. It’s still quite hard to believe, but it’s reality. I don’t have words for it yet. This is really a dream,” Zijlaard said afterwards.

Two days later the world looks completely different again. He got through Wednesday’s ride well in the yellow jersey, but disaster struck a day later. The Dutchman from Tudor hit the ground hard and the verdict was harsh; Zijlaard broke his elbow. It is not yet known how long he will be sidelined.

Update 26/04, 11.45 am
Tudor reports that Zijlaard will undergo surgery at the Crossklinik in Basel. The team also knows that the first leader in the Tour de Romandie will be sidelined for at least eight weeks.