Vuelta a Espana - Tom Danielson
Riding for Garmin-Slipstream, Tom Danielson of Boulder, Colorado finished 30th out of 173 riders in the second stage of the Vuelta a Espana.
While his teammate, Tyler Farrar, holds the hopes for the team in the sprint category, Danielson is the team’s favorite over the flats of the 191-kilometer race.
Danielson is amidst a comeback to regain the racing form he showed in 2006 when he captured a win at stage 17 of the Vuelta a Espana.
Shortly after a successful racing season in 2006, Danielson crashed in stage one of the 2007 Vuelta, breaking his shoulder and herniating his L5-S1 disk. At the same time that Danielson was struggling with intense back pain, an inexplicable stomach illness held him from reaching top form.
Danielson is finally pain-free of the shoulder injury and doctors were able to diagnose and cure the stomach complication.
Void of the injuries, he is showing some of the same promise and talent this month that had him mentioned as one of the top up-and-coming American riders in 2006. Danielson began August with a win on stage four of the Vuelta a Burgos and is looking to build on that performance during the 2009 Vuelta.
To keep track of Tom during the Vuelta a Espana, read his first-hand account of the race on Twitter. In 140 characters or less, this is what Tom had to say about Stage 3 of the Vuelta: “I’m ok! Big crash inside 3 k to go. Hit the ground going fast but I am very lucky. My bike not so much.” After seeing the video and story on VeloNews, you’ll agree that Tom was very lucky!