Lance Armstrong crashed in today's stage 1 of Vuelta a Castilla y Leon.

An unfortunate Lance Armstrong crashed earlier today in the first stage of the Castilla y Leon race in Spain. Armstrong was transported via ambulance to the local hospital where it was confirmed that he did suffer from a fracture in his right clavicle.

Because of the injury, Armstrong will return to the United States to make a decision on surgery options. “In 17 years as a pro I have been lucky to avoid one of the most common cycling injuries. The crash has put my upcoming calendar in jeopardy but the most important thing for me right now is to get back home and rest up and begin my rehab,” Armstrong commented.

Astana Team doctor Pedro Celaya was with Armstrong at the hospital. “Lance suffered a fracture of the middle third of the right collarbone as well as some bruises on his right hip and arm,” Dr. Celaya told Roadcycling.com.

We asked Lance Armstrong three questions while at the Hospital Clínico Universitario of Valladolid where a fracture of the middle third of the right collar bone was diagnosed.

Explain to our readers how the crash happened?

“At the end of the race, people started to get a bit excited to win the race. Everybody wanted to be in the front and  couple of guys crashed in front of me, crossed the wheels and I hit them over the top. It happens quick when it happens. It could have been worse, I suppose. I have road rash abrasions on right hip and arm but the big problem is the broken collarbone. I never had this before. It is pretty painful. Now we must have to see how it heals. I will go back to the US and there we will decide on surgery.”

You must be very disappointed. Is the 2009 Giro d'Italia participation in jeopardy?

“I am very disappointed. Very. Especially for the Giro. Now the biggest problem is the pain. It hurts. We will see. The guys in the hospital in Valladolid were great and very nice and helpful. But now I feel miserable. I need to relax a couple of days, fix the problem and make a plan. I hope I can tell you more about the Giro in a week.”

You almost never crash...?

“I was thinking the same thing in the hospital that this never happened in my 17 years of pro cycling. That’s cycling. It’s nobody’s fault. Crashes happen all the time. It is part of the job.”