Geraint Thomas has been taken to hospital for checks after crashing out of his final preparation race before defending his Tour de France title.
He went down following a touch of wheels with 30km remaining of stage four of the Tour of Switzerland.
Thomas suffered cuts to his back and right side, as well as a cut just above his right eye.
Medical staff also checked out his shoulders as he sat on the tarmac, with collarbone breaks a common injury among cyclists.
Thomas’ team Ineos (formerly Sky) tweeted: “Sadly @GeraintThomas86 has been forced to abandon the #TourDeSuisse.
“He was alert and speaking to the team after the crash and will be taken to hospital for checks. Further updates to follow. Tough couple of weeks for Ineos.”
The Tour de France starts in 18 days time and it’s the second blow Ineos have suffered in less than a week.
Their four-time champion Chris Froome is currently in hospital recovering from a horrific life-threatening training crash in France and is out of the rest of the racing season.
Briton Froome suffered compound fractures of his right femur and right elbow, fractured a bone in his neck, damaged his sternum and ribs and lost four pints of blood.
Thomas, who was sitting eighth overall in Switzerland, was set to lead Ineos in the Tour de France in the absence of Froome.
However, even if he is passed fit, he would start it short of racing miles, which could make his defence of the yellow jersey more difficult.
