July 22, 2009 (Albertville, France) – Todd Lodwick of Steamboat Springs, Colo, double Nordic Combined Nordic Worlds gold medalist, received minor injuries on Wednesday as he crashed into an automobile while cycling during a team training session on the Tour de France course on the descent into the village of Albertville according to Universal Sports. The U.S. Nordic Combined Ski Team was in the midst of holding a regular training camp in the French ski jumping village of Courchevel and had been making daily training rides up some of the Tour’s most famous steep alpine climbs… read more here.

Lodwick in Car-Bike Crash – USSA Release
ALBERTVILLE, France (July 22) – World Champion skier Todd Lodwick (Steamboat Springs, CO) learned Wednesday that watching the Tour de France can be as dangerous as competing. The U.S. Ski Team athlete was involved in a car-bike collision while riding back from spectating at a Tour stage.

Cycling back to Albertville shortly after watching the early portion of stage 17 of the Tour on the Col de Les Saisies, Lodwick rounded a corner and, in swerving to miss a stopped vehicle, collided head on with an oncoming car.

Lodwick rose to nordic combined success during the 2009 season as he made a return from retirement at the age of 31 to win two World Championship gold medals.

While he did suffer some bumps and bruises, Lodwick is in good condition. He was treated and released from an Albertville hospital. He will now rest before returning to the states.

“The crash happened very quickly, but I am happy to be uninjured, which is more than I can say for the car and my bike,” Lodwick said. “I am looking forward to getting to my family, resting up a bit and then heading back into the training season.”

Members of the U.S. Nordic Combined Ski Team are in France not only to watch the Tour, but also to train. They have been jumping with international teams in Courchevel while also taking in legs of the Tour. The Team will remain in France for another week.