The reigning Italian national champion, Filippo Zana has been denied the chance to defend his crown after a training accident has left him with a broken collarbone.
The Team Jayco AlUla rider is no stranger to dramatic crashes recently after he was sent somersaulting off-road on a descent at the Tour of Slovenia. Although he managed to recover on that occasion and actually finish second on the stage, it seems he was not so lucky this time around.
The 24-year-old had looked in great shape recently too, making him one of the favourites for victory at the Italian National Championships. Taking a stage win at the 2023 Giro d'Italia and that aforementioned second-placed stage finish at the Tour of Slovenia that helped him to the overall race win, Zana had been expected to be one of the ones to watch.
"Unfortunately, Filippo Zana will not defend his Italian road race title this weekend following a crash in training," an official announcement reads. "The Tour of Slovenia winner suffered a dislocated right collarbone fracture and will undergo surgery on Friday."
MEDICAL UPDATE 🏥 Unfortunately, Filippo Zana will not defend his Italian road race title this weekend following a crash in training. The Tour of Slovenia winner suffered a dislocated right collarbone fracture and will undergo surgery on Friday. Get well soon, Pippo!
