Team Garmin-Barracuda » Blake Caldwell

Injured Reserves update

CJ — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 17:17:19 +0000

With the plethora of injuries sustained by Team Garmin-Slipstream over the past months, the Injured Reserves list is quite long. The good news is that the members of the list are progressing in their rehabilitation at or ahead of schedule, with Tyler Farrar looking to make his return to racing next week at the Tour of Romandie.

Report from the Garmin-Slipstream medical staff:

TYLER – Is all systems go! Only rehab for him now is for his day-to-day life, not for riding a bike (so he can swim comfortably, lift things above his head, etc…)

BLAKE – Is a great deal more comfortable getting around and using the trainer. He can cope with twenty-to-thirty minutes on it before he fatigues. He will have his orthopedic review on Thursday with a view to him heading home after that provided all is well. Here’s to hoping he gets the green light for full weight bearing, then we can really kick things along.

JULIAN – Has had the stitches removed and is significantly more comfortable. He is doing some set pieces pushing big gears today, so we shall see how that goes.

MILLAR – Has been given a tentative go-ahead from his surgeon. Upon testing he is comfortable with palpation over the fracture, compression over the AC and traction of the arm. Thus he is to progress to increasing his range, strength and coordination. Is now more comfortable out of the saddle, probably two or three days from pulling really hard. Good news!

SVEIN – Has been training hard for the last couple of days in Tenerife. He has no real complaints about his knee, but his hip is giving him a lot of grief. Most likely secondary to an altered position while riding in the early days of his return, and also from the ITB, which was bashed up in the fall itself.

Injured Reserves: Blake Caldwell update

CJ — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 17:41:58 +0000

Team Garmin-Slipstream’s Blake Caldwell is one of many of the Argyle Armada that is currently recovering from an injury — in his case a broken hip. But with a little time, and some ‘space-age’ equipment from Dr. Allen Lim, he should be back on the bike sometime soon.

Like several of you, I’ve been anxiously sitting in front of my computer reading live updates on Gent-Wevelgem, and watching the TV coverage of Pais Vasco, looking for blue and orange argyle. On one hand, I could be upset and gloomy about not racing too, but that does no good at all. Given the hand I’m dealt, the most productive thing is to cheer on the guys from the couch while doing as many isometric exercises as I can.

Instead of focusing on doing so many intervals at x watts and y hours on the bike, I’m finding that lifting my leg using my hip-flexor is my new challenge. I’ve started rehab in town and am seeing some rapid progress since leaving the hospital last week. At rehab, I’m using a Compex E-stim machine to work on contracting my quad and increase circulation. I can put a little weight on my right leg and move it around without using my hands. I’m moving around well now. I just have to allow a few extra minutes.

Lucky for me, one of our sponsors has a product that was invaluable to me the past couple of days. The NormaTec MVP is a compression device for the entire leg. Also known amongst our team as “Space Legs,” it consists of two full leg boots that are inflated by a pneumatic pump. Just like a massage, it promotes circulation and flushes out inflammation. On Wednesday, my right leg was so swollen I could barely fit on my jeans and it hurt if I stood vertical for more than a few minutes. The pain was not coming from my hip, but from the pressure throughout my leg. After using it on Thursday, my right leg is nearly back to the same size as the left and the inflammation is localized just to the site of surgery. I’ve also been wearing 2XU compression socks during the day to help with circulation. In short, I feel incredible today in comparison to two days ago.

I just hope to keep up the rapid progress over the next weeks. Getting back on the trainer will be a big milestone. In the meantime, join me in cheering on the crews at Pais Vasco and Roubaix!

Thanks for reading,

Blake

Injured Reserves: Caldwell, Friedman & Tuft

CJ — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 22:09:56 +0000

Team Garmin-Slipstream went almost a whole week without a crash or injury — but as it is often said, things happen in threes. On Thursday three of the Argyle Armada ended up on the deck with three disparate results.

The worst of the three was Blake Caldwell who crashed while going out for a training ride at his home in Girona. “I was heading out for a ride this morning and fell on my hip,” Caldwell said on his blog. “Felt something when I landed and, yep, its fractured. I can’t believe it. 3 hours ago I was motivated as could be about getting out training in the pissing rain for Pais Vasco.”

Caldwell’s pre and post-operative x-rays

According to the Garmin Slipstream medical team, Caldwell’s surgery went well and he is recovering. “Blake sustained an intertrochanteric fracture of the femur that required ORIF (open reduction internal fixation),” said team doctor Prentice Steffen.

“This fracture is just like what many older people have when they fall and have a ‘broken hip.’ For Blake it was just bad luck landing in just the wrong way with just enough force to cause the break.”

Team physiologist Dr. Allen Lim commented that ironically while cyclists, like other low-impact athletes, often do have low bone densities, one of the members of the team with the highest is Mike Friedman.

That must have served ‘Meatball’ well yesterday, as he and Svein Tuft crashed during the finale of stage 3a of Three Days of De Panne, when the fast-moving peloton was negotiating a traffic island with tree planters in the middle of the road.

“Tuft dove, tucked and rolled — quite impressive actually!” said Dr. Steffen. “He has a contused right leg and some very minor abrasions. And he was seventh in the afternoon TT! He was a bit sore Friday morning, but he will be fine.”

“Meatball got it worse. Lots of harsh abrasions. Hit head but no loss of consciousness or other symptoms, just strained neck muscles. He will do 60km recovery ride with the others today and we will re-examine after. He is a maybe for Flanders in two days, but I expect he will be good for Gent-Wevelgem and Paris-Roubaix.”

Zabriskie on the final podium in Castilla y Leon

CJ — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 18:33:57 +0000

Team Garmin-Slipstream’s GC rider David Zabriskie finished Castilla y Leon keeping his third place podium spot well protected, with his teammates around him in the effort.

In other news, Blake Caldwell celebrated his birthday in style — on the bike riding for DZ. Happy birthday Blake!

Birthday boy Blake Caldwell

Director’s report from Johnny Weltz

People were really tired after yesterday’s hard mountain stage. There were a lot of riders popping around the camper with comments on DZ’s brutal attack on the mountain yesterday! As Christian commented on DZ’s new style, he hasn’t seen him attack since the nineties!

So it was a easy day for us in the bunch — it came down to a bunch sprint which was won by Valverde. As it was on a hill we did a lead out for Huub who finished around 20th. All in all we had a really good week here.

Team Garmin-Slipstream, stage 5 results
1. Alejandro Valverde 3h17’46
19. Huub Duyn +0’02
28. David Zabriskie
35. Tom Danielson
40. Ricardo Van Der Velde
47. Blake Caldwell +0’17
92. Christian Vande Velde +1’06
98. Lucas Euser
124. Hans Dekkers +4’45

Team Garmin-Slipstream final GC results
1. Levi Leipheimer 15h33’26
3. David Zabriskie +0’22
27. Blake Caldwell +4’55
37. Tom Danielson +5’59
51. Christian Vande Velde +9’37
60. Lucas Euser +17’36
97. Huub Duyn +33’34
102. Ricardo Van Der Velde +35’49
117. Hans Dekkers +40’24

Vuelta a Murcia stage 5 & final results

CJ — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 14:10:32 +0000

Christian Meier, Tom Danielson and Blake Caldwell finished with the front group at the end of today’s relatively rolling, short final stage at the Vuelta a Murcia, giving all three a bump up in their final overall classification.

Stay tuned for photos.

Garmin-Slipstream stage 5 results
1. Graeme Brown 3h11’46″
21. Christian Meier +00″
26. Tom Danielson +00″
30. Blake Caldwell +00″

45. Huub Duyn +54″
52. Jason Donald +2’09″
85. Timmy Duggan +7’33″
94. Lucas Euser +10’17″

Garmin-Slipstream final GC
1. Denis Menchov 14h55’06″
20. Tom Danielson +5’18″
36. Huub Duyn +19’36″
46. Christian Meier +21’20″
47. Blake Caldwell +21’23″
60. Timmy Duggan +28’11″
69. Lucas Euser +30’44″
73. Jason Donald +32’19″

Already on the trainer!

CJ — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 23:34:42 +0000

So it’s been a little more than a week since my crash and there hasn’t been a day yet without significant progress in my healing. Last Friday, I finally made it back home to Boulder, CO, with a lot of help from Bryan. He drove me from the hospital in Springfield back to Kansas City where we were able to catch a flight to Denver. After a tornado landed in the nearby area, security sent everyone inside the airport to the parking garage before we could go back to the gate. I’m not sure how safe that garage was, but luckily we didn’t have to find out and were in the air after only a short delay. After a short drive from Denver, I made it back home.

At first, it was difficult moving around without the help of a wheelchair. However, my hip and collarbone have made fast progress since. By mid-week, I was able to walk around by myself, even if a little awkwardly. Now the soreness in my hip and collarbone has been improving daily. I even got on the trainer for a few minutes yesterday!

It’s been quite a transition between being in the middle of seven-day stage race and being back at home resting. My body was definitely not ready to be thrown from full-gas racing straight to a hospital bed. It’s been frustrating to be stuck at home instead of getting out on my bike like I always do. It’s left me with a lot of time to think about the ups and downs from this year and how to prepare for next year.

I was able to spend a few mornings watching the stage finishes from Missouri on the internet. It was great to see the team pull it off and keep Christian in the jersey all the way to the end. I wish I would have been there, but being able to watch it was the next best thing.

Again, thanks to everyone for all the positive comments!

Injured Reserves Report: Caldwell medical update

CJ — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 19:41:44 +0000

Official medical statement from Missouri

Blake Caldwell crashed during today’s time trial at the Tour of Missouri. He sustained a concussion, clavicle fracture, sternum fracture, pelvic fracture and a pulmonary contusion. He is currently in stable condition at an area hospital, where he will remain for observation.

Our thoughts are with him, and he appreciates everyone’s support. We also extend our thanks to the Tour of Missouri medical staff for their coordination of his care.

Britain stage 4: Kiwi Guy 4th, Martin moves to 7th overall

CJ — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 17:51:02 +0000

With clear blue skies to motivate the peloton today, stage 4 was fast from the gun. The peloton averaged 35 mph the first hour of the race as attack after attack went and got caught.

David Millar joined a solid breakaway of about ten just after the race passed through Staffordshire. The break held until they hit a fast decent through Barlaston where Agritubel cranked up the chase. The break was caught with 3 km to go.

Julian Dean, Chris Sutton and Dan Martin battled their way to the front to finish just behind stage winner Edval Hagen. Dan’s strong finished moved him up to 7th overall and just 14″ off the race leader.

Team Garmin-Chipotle stage results
1. Edval Boasson Hagen 3h36’11″
4. Julian Dean +04″
18. Dan Martin +12″
24. Chris Sutton +12″
49. Magnus Backstedt +1’08″
65. David Millar +1’32″
66. Trent Lowe +1’32″

Team Garmin-Chipotle GC
1. Geoffroy Lequarte 13h43’06″
7. Dan Martin +14″
18. Chris Sutton +1’59″
26. Julian Dean +12’32″
50. Magnus Backstedt +13’38″
62. David Millar +14’06″
64. Trent Lowe +14’06″

Missouri stage 2: Farrar 4th in sprint and overall; Garmin-Chipotle leads team GC

CJ — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 00:37:00 +0000

Tyler Farrar, Tom Danielson, Danny Pate and Blake Caldwell lead the Argyle Armada during stage 2 of the Tour of Missouri.

As the peloton rolled to the start line today, it was obvious that most of us were wishing for a few more hours of sleep. With a two-hour transfer from Kansas City to the start in Clinton, MO, it was an early morning for sure. However, as soon as the starting gun was fired, we were back in to race mode fighting for position in the slight crosswind.

A group of five eventually snuck past the Team Columbia patrol. With no GC threats up the road, Columbia literally barricaded the narrow road by riding side by side. That was that and we settled in for the next 150 km of steady riding. When we finally made it to the last 50 km, things really started to pick up. Columbia, Liquigas, Sparkasse and our entire team were fighting to keep our sprinters in the front and out of trouble. It got really dicey as we entered town and caught the remaining escapees.

Several riders went down in a crash right before the finishing circuits, taking Tom Danielson down too. He was back on the bike right away and made it back to the peloton. On the final circuits, the team kept Tyler in position. Through the final corner, 800 meters out, he was once again sitting behind Cavendish. Christian was on the front keeping the field pegged at top-speed. A few riders dove inside the corner, mixing it up a bit, but Tyler came around for another fine result. 4th place this time.

Immediately after the stage, we headed for the team bus to start the recover process as quickly as possible for tomorrow’s important stage. I must say that we are incredibly lucky to travel around in this beast of a vehicle with 12 bunks for us to lay down in during the long transfers.

Tomorrow is the big one: the Branson time trial. With our team of strong time trialists, things are looking good for us. We want that leader’s jersey tomorrow afternoon!

Team Garmin-Chipotle stage results
1. Mark Cavendish 4h53’19″
4. Tyler Farrar +00″
15. Danny Pate +00″
23. Christian Vande Velde +00″
24. Tom Danielson +00″
26. Blake Caldwell +00″
42. Steven Cozza +00″
47. Daniel Holloway +00″
54. David Zabriskie +11″

Team Garmin-Chipotle GC
1. Mark Cavendish 8h08’13″
4. Tyler Farrar +14″
14. Danny Pate +20″
24. Christian Vande Velde +20″
25. Daniel Holloway +20″
28. Blake Caldwell +20″
31. Steven Cozza +20″
36. Tom Danielson +20″
74. Dave Zabriskie +31″

Sprint Points Classification
1. Mark Cavendish 30 pts
2. Francesco Chicchi 20 pts
3. Tyler Farrar 19 pts

Team Classification
1. Team Garmin-Chipotle H3O 24h25’39″
2. Rabobank
3. Team Columbia

Missouri stage 1: Farrar 2nd to 'Cav' in mass sprint

CJ — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 00:53:21 +0000

Perfection is in the process.

Sure, second place isn’t the same as a victory on paper. But when its executed to perfection and to the best of our abilities, it can mean just as much. Today, Tyler Farrar (above) rode incredibly well in the final to finish second only to Mark Cavendish of Team Columbia.

Danny helped position Tyler perfectly behind the Columbia lead-out within the final kilometer. And Tyler didn’t disappoint with a great kick to the line just behind Cavendish. We are really happy with the result, especially in front of all those from Garmin that showed up to watch the race. Thanks for cheering us on!

Tomorrow is supposed to bring some warmer weather, so that will be a welcome change for the 126 mile/203 km stage to Springfield. Last year on this stage, a large breakaway went clear, leaving the general classification to be decided among those in the break. We’ll all be on our toes in case something similar happens this year.

Team Garmin-Chipotle stage results
1. Mark Cavendish 3h15’14″
2. Tyler Farrar +00″
16. Daniel Holloway +00″
20. Danny Pate +00″
33. Steven Cozza +00″
37. Christian Vande Velde +00″
42. Blake Caldwell +00″
65. Tom Danielson +00″
95. Dave Zabriskie +20″

Team Garmin-Chipotle GC
1. Mark Cavendish 3h15’04″
2. Tyler Farrar +04″
18. Daniel Holloway +10″
22. Danny Pate +10″
35. Steven Cozza +10″
39. Christian Vande Velde +10″
44. Blake Caldwell +10″
65. Tom Danielson +10″
100. Dave Zabriskie +30″

Sprint Points Classification
1. Mark Cavendish 15 pts
2. Tyler Farrar 12 pts

Team Classification
1. Rabobank 9h45’42″
2. Team Garmin-Chipotle H3O +00″