Drapac Professional Cycling's Benjamin Johnson didn't feature in his team's Tour Down Under squad, but he was looking forward to the New Zealand Cycle Classic, starting tomorrow. After an accident in training, his first UCI race of the season will have to wait.

After the Australian national championships, the 31-year old's form curve was going upwards. Johnson was out training Sunday morning when he got struck by a car, suffering a deep gash in his left elbow as well as abrasions and haematoma. The gash had to be sown with six stitches, and the rider is looking into bringing the case to court.

The 31-year old has had a somewhat unusual career: His first full-year pro contract in 2006 was with French team Agritubel, and the next year he rode for Team Slipstream (now Garmin-Sharp). His best result in 2007 was a 15th place in the Tro-Bro Léon.

In 2008, Johnson returned to Australia, registering with Continental team FRF Couriers-NSWIS. After that, he took a break from competitive racing, setting up a coaching company with former track world champion Ben Kersten in Noosa, Queensland, and developing his own range of road bikes. Finally, Johnson started competing again in the Australian National Road Series with a local team, and for 2014 he secured a contract with Drapac Professional Cycling in the team's second go at the Professional Continental level.

Ben Johnson is replaced in the New Zealand Cycle Classic startlist by Wouter Wippert according to the start list on the race website.