Last Updated: Tue, 09 Feb 2010 09:50
Kurt-Asle Arvesen of Team Sky has broken his collarbone and will miss the remainder of the Tour of Qatar.
The 35-year-old reigning Norwegian road race champion suffered the injury in the neutralised zone for the start of the second stage - just 24 hours after he helped his team to win the time trial on his debut.
Arvesen, who belongs to an exclusive club of riders who have won stages in the three Grand Tours, said: "It was really an absurd kind of accident because it happened before the race proper had started.
"We were basically just getting ready to start racing when I let a guy go past me but it then got a bit narrow and I lost control of the bike and crashed to the ground.
"It's really unfortunate to break your collarbone at any time but especially now as I was just getting ready to start my year."