Team RadioShack's Lance Armstrong has suffered a severe left elbow contusion with big haematoma as well as a 3 cm/1.2 inch complex swollen laceration under his left eye.

Armstrong was involved in an early crash in the 5th stage (Visalia-Bakersfield) of the 2010 Tour of California as the road narrowed. Several riders went down in the crash.  Armstrong resumed riding after the crash for about 10km but had to abandon because his eye was swollen shut.

After the crash Lance Armstrong was evaluated by Race doctor Ramin Modabber and Team doctor Dag Van Elslande in the Team bus. They administered eight stitches below his left eye.  Armstrong was taken to Bakersfield Memorial Hospital for precautionary X-rays which were fortunately negative.

"It was a shame to have to abandon early and not be able to help  Levi (Leipheimer) to another victory.  It was one of those crashes that put a bunch of us down.  I tried to give it a go but my eye was swollen so I couldn't see properly and the pain in the elbow prevented me from holding the bars for the remainder of the stage.  It was a relief to learn there were no breaks. I will take a few days to recover and be on the bike as soon as possible."