Today saw MTN-Qhubeka p/b Samsung begin their racing season at the Mallorca Challenge. Unfortunately, the team did not have the ideal start to the campaign as Andreas Stauff crashed out of the race in the closing kilometers.

It was a chaotic finale as the crosswinds pushed the peloton into the gutters. The high speed and limited road space made it a tough fight for position, eventually resulting in the German hitting the tarmac. It was later discovered that Stauff had indeed fractured his collarbone.

It is unfortunate for Stauff who was reportedly in really good shape and looking forward to the start of the season. His preparation had been going well in Mallorca and during the course of today’s race he looked strong. Stauff will now fly back to Germany where he will undergo surgery.

“I can confirm that x-rays have revealed Andy to have sustained a fracture to his right clavicle in the crash today," Team Doctor Jarrad van Zuydam said. "He will be flying back to Cologne tomorrow morning where he will undergo surgery to fix the fracture. He has no other serious injuries.”