Paris-Roubaix faller Simon Clarke has been diagnosed with a wrist fracture, and underwent surgery yesterday to correct the issue and to speed his recovery.
The Australian hit the deck during Sunday’s Classic, and was a non-finisher in the race.
“I have a broken scaphoid and have just been operated on here in Milan where they have inserted a titanium screw,” he told VeloNation’s Ed Hood yesterday evening. “Hopefully the recovery time won't be to long with the great help from the new AIS European training center in Varese.”
Clarke had performed strongly in the Tour of Flanders one week earlier, but the 63 kilo rider told VeloNation before the French Classic that he was wary about the flatter cobblestones. That was due to the power outputs needed to race over that terrain compared to the pave-topped bergs in Flanders, which are more suited to his characteristics. However it turned out that the Roubaix cobbles were quite a bit more dangerous too.
There were many fallers on Sunday, with those forced to pull out including Tom Boonen (Quick Step) and Filippo Pozzato (Team Katusha).
Clarke is competing with the Astana team this season. He was seventh in the Giro del Friuli and 15th overall in Tirreno-Adriatico.
The fracture to his scaphoid will disrupt his programme, but he’ll hope that the inserted screw will make his recovery a quick one. He is due to ride his first Grand Tour this season; fortunately it is the Vuelta a España, so that gives plenty of time for his wrist to get stronger and for him to get into peak condition.