Cycling: Andre Greipel successfully operated after collarbone fracture

Top sprinter Andre Greipel has had successful surgery after his collarbone fracture at the spring classic Milan-Sanremo. In the operation performed by specialist Toon Claes in Herentals, Belgium, the complex fracture was fixed with a plate and ten screws, Greipel’s team told Lotto-Soudal. As already expected, the spring season is over prematurely for the 35-year-old professional cyclist.

“The collarbone had broken into several pieces,” reported Greipel, who was already allowed to leave the clinic on Monday:”As a racing driver you always hope for a miracle to be able to start in the classics, but hope was soon gone. The next few weeks will be all about recovery and rehabilitation,” said the man from Rostock.

After a few days of complete rest, Greipel wants to train carefully on a stationary bike next week”if the pain allows it,” as he said. He must be patient now and must not rush into anything. The eleven-time Tour de France stage winner did not name a possible time for a return to the race.

Greipel fell on Saturday on the descent from Poggio, the last key point of the Primavera, just four kilometres before the finish and had to bury his chances for a top position:”I have never driven so fluently over Cipressa and Poggio. The race was perfect for sprinters and I’ve never been in such good shape for the classics. But it shouldn’t be,” Greipel said.