VIDEO PHOTOS Frank Schleck’s 2010 Tour de France Stage 3 crash

Luxembourg’s Frank Schleck crashed only 26 kilometers from the finish of Stage 3 of the Tour de France Wednesday, breaking his collarbone and sidelining him for the rest of the race.

The Saxo-Bank cyclist got caught in a pile-up in the final cobbled section of the 3rd stage and hit the ground hard. It was clear early on he was seriously injured and eventually he was taken to the hospital where it was determined he had broken his collarbone.

Here’s video footage from rtve.es:

Frank Schreck finished fifth overall in the Tour de France last year, but the greater impact of his departure may be on his brother Adam Schreck, who finished in second place in 2009 and now must finish the race without his experienced brother’s assistance. From bettor.com:

For Saxo-Bank this means a total shift in plans. The Schleck brothers were meant to play off one another through the Alps and Pyrenees, as they are both strong mountain riders. With Frank down, the task may fall to less practiced rider, time trial specialist Fabian Cancellara.

Adam Schleck remained optimistic, telling CyclinNews, “it’s not the most important thing. I’m happy it’s just his collarbone that has been broken.”

Here are some more images from Frank Schleck’s Stage 3 Tour de France crash:

Saxo Bank team rider Frank Schleck of Luxembourg is attended to by medics after he crashed during the third stage of the 97th Tour de France 2010 cycling race between Wanze in Belgium and Arenberg in France, Arenberg, France, 06 July 2010.

All photos: ZUMA Press