Santa Rosa resident Levi Leipheimer may not be able to ride in his hometown race, the Tour de California, due to injuries he suffered in a car crash earlier this month.

"Recovery is slower than we expected. I still have pain in my leg and I'm having trouble walking. I also have pain in my ribs and hips due to the fall, this is limiting my movement," Leipheimer said.

The three time winner of the race was on a training ride before the Vuelta al Pais Vasco in Spain when he was hit from behind by a car at full speed in an accident in the mountains.

Leipheimer was taken to a local hospital by other bystanders and then flew back to the United States for treatment. 

X-rays revealed that Leipheimer suffered a fractured fibula which has been slow to recover.

Leipheimer said that the Tour of California was "one of the objectives for my season".  The Omega Pharma-Quick Step also hopes to start at the Tour de France later in this summer.

"The bottom line is it was super scary and I am lucky to be alive," Leipheimer said shortly after the accident.