2004 Paris-Roubaix winner and all-round nice guy, Magnus Backstedt took time out while enjoying the racing at the recent Revolution to speak to RCUK.

As you’ll no doubt know, Magnus crashed not so long ago and severely separated his shoulder, and as his orthopaedic said: “The impact of the accident has caused the collarbone to become detached. It is not only pointing up, but also back into the trapezius muscle”. Ouch!

With that in mind, we asked him how he’s getting on.

How’s everything going?
Basically, sitting on the couch watching television.

Your training is obviously suffering, are you managing to get on the turbo trainer?
I have a couple of times but not a lot. Up until a couple of days ago it’s been too painful, I haven’t really been able to do anything.

How do you expect this to injury affect your plans then?
So long as I heal up alright, and get the strength back in my arm and shoulder, I should be fine.

Do your have a date for the removal of the cast?
7th December, hopefully. And then in six months time I’m going to have the plate taken out of my shoulder, and I can leave it up until a year as well, so I can take it out after the season next year. Just need to see how the season plans out. I feel comfortable, it’s going to be a bit of a different year because I’m normally flat out training now, getting ready for next year. It might be a good thing though, to wait a little longer before I get on the bike, to be fresher. As long as I’m able to get the miles in when I get back on the bike, it should be alright.

When you start training, what are your main priorities for 2007?
Same as always: Paris-Roubaix and the Tour. The Prologue in London is going to be good. So look into that a bit, and see what we can do. Give it a try.

You’ve got a new bike for next year of course, now Cannondale are sponsoring your team.
Yeah that should be interesting to see what that’s like. I’m looking forward to trying that out.