Anthony Roux (FDJ) has fractured two vertebrae in a crash in the Boulzicourt cyclocross race, in the French Ardennes on Sunday, according to French Eurosport. The 24-year-old has been advised to stay off his bike until April next year in order to make a full recovery.
"After a fall because of a broken wheel in the Boulzicourt cyclocross, I find myself in hospital for a week,” Roux wrote on his Facebook fan page. “Fracture of two vertebrae!
“Medical prediction, six months without riding!!!!!” he added. “A long recovery has just begun!”
Roux has recently concluded by far the best season of his career so far. He has taken six victories, including the Circuit de la Sarthe, the Circuit de Lorraine and the recent GP de la Somme, helping to make FDJ the number one team in the European Tour; he also finished second in the French championships, behind Quick Step’s Sylvain Chavanel.
Roux, like most of his FDJ teammates, rode an aggressive Tour de France, getting himself into a number of breaks, and coming close to the polka-dot mountains jersey in the first week. Not being able to ride for six months will doubtless prevent Roux from riding next year’s Tour, which would have been his third straight appearance in the race.