Broken collarbone for Corné van Kessel in training crash - "I lost control of my bike in a track I've cycled through dozens of times"

The cyclocross season start looked promising for Corné van Kessel, who showed good form and took advantage of the absence of some top riders to take some good results early in the season. However he will have to stay off competition for the time being, as he's suffered a broken collarbone in a training crash.

“During the warm up, I lost control of my bike in a track I've cycled through dozens of times," van Kessel explained in a team press release. "Bart Wellens accompanied me to the hospital in Herentals, where a broken collarbone was diagnosed."

The Dutchman was out on a team training ride in Lichtaart. Van Kessel has already been successfully operated on his fracture, but will however have to stay out of competition for some weeks. The most important phase of the season is still distant, however this will have consequences on his ambitions towards the cups.

“The consequences of this simple fall on my shoulder are very unfortunate. My fifth place in Meulebeke showed the progression of my form towards the most important races," he said. The team doctor said that he will be "able to resume his training sessions on the rollers and on the road fairly quickly," and is expected to return to competition within four to six weeks.