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Markus Zberg injured in Spain

Markus Zberg was taken to hospital after his fall Keystone

Swiss cyclist Markus Zberg has suffered a nasty fall during the third day of the Tour of Spain, and is unlikely to take any further part in the prestigious competition.

Zberg fell from his bike during Monday’s 160 kilometre stage between Valladolid and Leon and had to be treated at the roadside for a suspected dislocated shoulder. He was then transferred to hospital in an ambulance.

The canton Uri rider, who races for Dutch team Rabobank, was in 59th place just over a minute behind the leaders following the opening two stages.

If Zberg’s withdrawal is confirmed, Switzerland be left with just eight riders on the Spanish Tour, which is generally regarded as cycling’s third most important stage race after the Tour de France and the Giro d’Italia.

Zberg is the second Swiss professional to be thrown from his bike in the past two months. The 25-year-old Bernese cyclist Sven Montgomery is still recovering from an horrific crash on the Tour de France in July which left him with a broken collar bone and several facial injuries.

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