Tony Martin, the world time trial champion, is recovering in hospital after losing consciousness following a collision with a car.
The German star, winner of last year’s Paris-Nice, was on a daily training ride near his home in Switzerland.
A statement issued by his Omega Pharma-Quickstep team said preliminary reports indicated “Martin hit a car with his bike”.
He was rushed by ambulance to a hospital in Munsterlingen, where he was diagnosed with a fractured cheek bone likely to require surgery.
“His clinical condition is stable. In agreement with the team medical staff, today Tony Martin will undergo further specific examinations that will define the treatment he will need at that point,” a team spokesman said.
“Tony’s clinical condition is being constantly monitored by the hospital staff and the team’s medical staff. Tony Martin’s family is with him. Further updates will be released soon.”
Earlier this month, Martin’s teammate, Levi Leipheimer, suffered a broken leg after being hit by a car while training for the Tour of the Basque Country. He is expected to return at the Tour of California next month.
