Tobias Ludvigsson will be off the road for over four weeks following a confirmed schaphoid fracture from a fall on the opening stage of the Vuelta a Andalucia Ruta del Sol on Wednesday. Following checks back in the Netherlands with the team’s medical experts, Ludvigsson had a confirmed fracture in his wrist.

The schaphoid bone is one of the small bones on the wrist between the hand and the forearm. After the fracture was confirmed Ludvigsson had a cast fitted to the wrist which will remain in place for between four and six weeks to help it recover in a good way.

Team Giant-Alpecin Physician, Anko Boelens explained: “After initial checks after the fall it looked like Tobias had a scaphoid fracture in his wrist, and on further scans a fissure fracture was confirmed. He has had a cast fitted now and this will remain in place for approximately a month before the first checks. It is important that this heals well and we will work towards making sure this happens in the best way with Tobias, without rushing it.”

Ludvigsson will soon be able to return to careful light training indoors with little to no pressure on the bars with his wrist.