Floris Gerts’ racing program will be put on hold following a crash at Le Samyn yesterday which left Gerts with two fractured ribs.

The treacherous conditions caused multiple crashes throughout the one-day race and Gerts was brought down as the race entered the circuit with 100km to go, crashing into a road sign that had fallen on the course.

BMC Racing Team Doctor Daniele Zaccaria gave the following update.

“Floris has fractured his 7th and 8th ribs on the left side which will require him to take things easy for the next couple of weeks and slowly build up from there. He was already recovering from a crash at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad last Saturday which left him with a fractured finger.”

“It is important that Floris takes the necessary time to heal and really listens to his body, not only in terms of pain but to avoid any risk of re-fracture or a pneumothorax. We will continue to monitor his condition in the coming weeks.”

It is a disappointing outcome for Gerts who was set to race at Driedaagse van West-Flaanderen tomorrow.

“I’m really disappointed, not only because it will stop me from racing this weekend but also because I was feeling really good yesterday before the crash. In the opening weekend I didn’t quite have the legs but yesterday I was up there in the front group before the crash and I felt like I was in a good position,” Gerts explained.