Leipheimer hit by car, 'lucky to be alive'

GUENES, Spain (AP) ? American cyclist Levi Leipheimer felt "lucky to be alive" after he was hit by a car while training for a race.

The Omega Pharma-Quick Step rider was training by himself Sunday for the Tour of Basque Country when he was struck from behind. The Italian team said in a statement that Leipheimer went to a hospital. He had a sore and swollen lower left leg but no broken bones.

Leipheimer was to be examined again Monday in California before a date can be set for his return to racing, the team said.

The 38-year-old former teammate of Lance Armstrong will skip the six-stage Spanish race, which begins Monday.

"This is one of those mornings when feeling like I got run over is actually true," Leipheimer wrote on Twitter on Monday. "Yes I was hit by a car directly from behind, didn't see or hear it coming. One of the scariest experiences of my life."

Associated Press

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