US Nordic combined star Lodwick sustains minor injuries in bike accident

American Lodwick in bike accident

Four-time U.S. Nordic combined Olympian Todd Lodwick sustained minor injuries Wednesday while biking in France, riding head-on into a moving vehicle after watching a stage of the Tour de France.

The 32-year-old Lodwick is expected to headline the U.S. team headed to the Vancouver Olympics in February. The Americans have never medaled in the sport.

The U.S. Ski Team said the team was training in France and Lodwick was riding back to Albertville after watching an early portion of the Tour’s stage 17 when the accident occurred. He rounded a corner and swerved to miss a stopped vehicle and collided head-on with an oncoming car.

Lodwick was treated for bumps and bruises at an Albertville hospital and then released in good condition. He planned to rest before returning to the states as the U.S. team has another week of training in France.

The Americans have been jumping with international teams in Courchevel.

“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 in a statement. “I am looking forward to getting to my family, resting up a bit and then heading back into the training season.”

Lodwick, from Steamboat Springs, Colo., ended a two-year retirement this past season following the 2006 Turin Games and won two gold medals at the World Championship in February.

Lodwick, Billy Demong and Johnny Spillane highlight the U.S. A Team named last month. The 2010 Olympic squad will be announced in late January.

The U.S. team finished a disappointing seventh in the Olympic team competition in Italy and Lodwick afterward accused teammate Carl Van Loan of being “way out of shape” and the “weakest link.” Van Loan called Lodwick “selfish” and they later cleared the air.