Alex Dowsett breaks collarbone

Two-time British time trial champion, Alex Dowsett, has suffered a broken collarbone after crashing on a training ride and will require surgery. His team, Movistar, say that an announcement will be made regarding his planned Hour record attempt within the next few days – Dowsett had planned on tackling the record on February 27.

Mark Cavendish tweeted a picture of the two out together in the Essex countryside on Tuesday, but apparently Dowsett had later suffered a crash.

On Twitter, Dowsett said that it was ‘far from ideal timing’ but that he would be looking to bounce back as soon as possible. He also seemed to be retaining good humour in spite of the setback, adding: "May even ask the surgeons to take a couple of cm out of the other collarbone as well to make me Tom Dumoulin aero."

In a statement on their website, Movistar said:

“Alex Dowsett and Movistar Team's hopes to take on a successful UCI Hour record attempt were seriously damaged yesterday as the Essex-based rider suffered a crash during a training ride on home roads. Pain in his right-hand shoulder forced Dowsett to be moved to a hospital nearby, where radiological examinations confirmed a fracture in his collarbone.

“The severity of Dowsett's fracture will require surgery, which the Briton will likely undergo on Thursday. A media day scheduled for Tuesday 20 at London's Lee Valley VeloPark, venue of the event on February 27, has been cancelled.”

After badgering Nando's, asking them whether they would deliver to his ward at The Royal London hospital ("left handed fork please"), Dowsett tweeted that a decision on the Hour would only be made once he had had surgery. "The attempt has not been postponed nor cancelled, we will see how surgery goes and then make a decision."