Monday 22 December 2014 11:29, UK
Simon Gerrans will be unable to defend his Santos Tour Down Under title next month after breaking his left collarbone in a crash.
The 34-year-old Australian, who rides for Orica-GreenEdge, sustained the injury when he fell off a mountain bike in Victoria's High Country on Sunday and was due to undergo surgery on Monday.
Gerrans, who will also miss the Australian road championships in January, will then need to rest for "a week to 10 days" before starting his preparations for the spring classics in Europe.
"Unfortunately it doesn't matter how well the recovery goes from here, I don't think I am going to be in any condition to be racing at a high level in January," Gerrans said.
"With that in mind, I think it is better to take my time, make sure the recovery goes well and get all the rehab done so I don't have any ongoing issues.
"It's a big blow not to be able to line up in the national championships and Tour Down Under and defend my titles. They are races that I really enjoy and I know how important they are to the team.
"Looking on the bright side, what it does do is force a bit of a break now and mean that I can work towards some goals later in the season and be a lot fresher.”
Gerrans triumphed in the Santos Tour Down Under in 2006, 2012 and 2014, and also won the Australian national title in 2012 and 2014.
The Australian road championships take place in Ballarat from January 7-11, while the Santos Tour Down Under starts in Adelaide on January 20.
