Australia’s Rio ranks take a hit after Simon Gerrans forced out of Tour de France

SIMON Gerrans is facing a race against time to be fit for the Rio Olympics road race after breaking his collarbone in last night’s chaotic stage of the Tour de France.

Australian cyclist Simon Gerrans is in some doubt for the Rio Olympics after a fall in the Tour de France.

LEADING Australian cyclist Simon Gerrans is facing a race against time to be fit for the Rio Olympics road race after breaking his collarbone in last night’s chaotic stage of the Tour de France.

Gerrans was one of only three riders named in Australia’s cycling team for Rio alongside Richie Porte — who also crashed in the most bizarre circumstances on Mont Ventoux on Stage 12 — and Rohan Dennis.

But Gerrans’ Tour is now over after he was involved in a high-speed crash with 30km to go and snapped his left collarbone.

Simon Gerrans (L) of Australia and Orica GreenEdge takes a photo of his team mates during the team presentations ahead of the Tour de France.

Bravely, Gerrans got back on his bike and rode to the finish 28 minutes behind stage winner Thomas De Gendt who navigated his way through thousands of spectators on the climb, and the pile-ups of riders which included yellow jersey Chris Froome inexplicably seen running without his bike.

Gerrans took to social media after the stage to explain his disappointment at having to leave the Tour de France in its second week.

That's the end of my #tdf2016 I can't find words to describe how disappointed I am. pic.twitter.com/DgsyxHRYpT

— Simon Gerrans (@simongerrans) July 14, 2016

There are 22 days until the road race is held on the opening day of competition in Rio.

It is the second year in a row that Gerrans has been forced out of the Tour de France after he crashed on Stage 3 last year and broke his wrist.

While a broken collarbone could be expected to heal in that time, the bigger blow for Gerrans — who was picked as a medal contender for the 241.5km race in Brazil — is the conditioning he will lose from not riding the final week of the Tour de France.

Gutted for @simongerrans ! The team will miss him here at #TDF2016 . That was one crazy hard day out there

— Daryl Impey (@darylimpey) July 14, 2016

@simongerrans I wish you speedy recovery...

— Rui Costa (@RuiCostaCyclist) July 14, 2016

If he is restricted to a home trainer, Gerrans, 36, may take inspiration from his Orica-BikeExchange teammate Mathew Hayman who broke his wrist and was restricted to training on the stationary ergo trainer for a month before winning Paris-Roubaix in April.

Gerrans is one of Australia’s greatest ever road cyclists and renowned for his ability to target a race and deliver a result — especially in major one-day races.

He is a two-time national champion and has won Milan-San Remo and Liege Bastogne Liege which are two of the biggest classics in the world.

Originally published as Australia’s Rio ranks take a hit after Simon Gerrans forced out of Tour de France