We are all devastated by Christian’s crash today at Stage three of the 2009 Giro D’Italia. The news so far is sketchy and somewhat conflicting. Please send your thoughts and prayers to VdV and his family. He is a tough guy, but this is just a tragedy. Shows us how dangerous cycling truly is and how fragile we all are. Speedy recovery to you Christian! Your fans are all behind you and want you to take care of YOU right now. The team will do you proud. Our hopes are for your triumphant return for the TdF.

1) VALDOBBIADENE, Italy, May 11 (Reuters) - Christian Vande Velde of the Garmin-Slipstream team broke two ribs in a fall on Monday's Giro d'Italia third stage and is out of the race, organisers said.

The American, who wore the leader's jersey after the first stage of last year's race, was taken to hospital after tumbling late on.

Team mate David Zabriskie, also involved in the crash, picked himself up and finished the stage. (Writing by Mark Meadows in Milan; Editing by Sonia Oxley; To comment on this story: sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

2)Crash, injuries force Christian Vande Velde to withdraw from Giro d'Italia

By Philip Hersh | Tribune reporter

12:34 PM CDT, May 11, 2009

Cyclist Christian Vande Velde of Lemont sustained two broken ribs and bruises on his lower back and pelvis in a Monday crash that forced him to withdraw from the Giro d'Italia, according to his father, John.

Vande Velde and Garmin-Slipstream teammate David Zabriskie, also a U.S. rider, fell in the 87th mile of the 123-mile stage. Zabriskie was able to finish the stage, but VandeVelde was taken in an ambulance to a hospital for x-rays.

The big question now is whether Vande Velde will be able to recover in time for the July 4 start of the Tour de France, for which he was using the Giro to get into shape.

Vande Velde, 32, finished fourth at the 2008 Tour de France, during which a crash in one of the last week's stages probably cost him a place on the podium.

The race moves into the Dolomite Mountains Tuesday.

3)  Christian Vande Velde was forced to withdraw from the race after being involved in a crash with Garmin-Slipstream team-mate David Zabriskie at the 140km mark.

Vande Velde, who finished fifth in last year's Tour de France, was taken to a local hospital to be checked out, while Zabriskie was able to remount and rejoin the pack.

4) Christian Vande Velde down in a crash near the 60 km mark. He’s holding his back and looking to be in pain. LPR and Katusha have taken over the head of the peloton. The gap drops to 2′18″. The gruppo looks to really be working now. They may want to catch the escapees before the day’s first rated climb at the 42 km mark.

We learn that CVV attempts to get back on his bike, but quickly stops and ends up retiring from the race. He’ll be heading to the hospital for an x-ray of his lower back.

5) Team Garmin-Slipstream’s sprinter Tyler Farrar continued to show strong form and presence in a tricky sprint finish on the third stage of the Giro d’Italia, nearly taking out the stage win just behind Alessandro Petacchi. But his second place on the stage moved him up to second place overall and earned him the white jersey for best young rider!

What’s more is that Farrar broke his rear derailleur cable in the massive pile-up with 10km to go in the stage — meaning that he had to get back up to speed and then battle for wheels entirely in his 11!

Unfortunately, a crash earlier in the stage put team captain Christian Vande Velde on the ground. He was taken to the hospital along with the team’s medical staff where he was diagnosed with two broken ribs and a severe contusion and sprain to his mid-back. He will return to Girona as soon as possible for further examination and rehabilitation.

Check back with slipstreamsports.com for more updates and a full report from stage 3!