On Wednesday Thomas Löfkvist (IAM) was the victim of a traffic accident when he ran into a car door and suffered an open fracture of the first phalanx and the index finger on his left hand.

Thursday evening he underwent surgery at the University Hospital of Geneva (HUG), which according to the medical experts was necessary for a rapid recovery. They have devised a special splint to aid in his progress.

Nevertheless, the injury will prevent the Swedish rider from competing during the rest of April, causing him to miss the Amstel Gold Race, Flèche Wallone, Liège-Bastogne-Liège and the Tour of Romandie. Though both he and the IAM Cycling team will be sorry he will not be able to contribute to these races, Löfkvist will be able to begin rehabilitation and rebuilding his form soon. He is expected to be able to continue with his provisional racing schedule.