Slovakian national time trial champion Peter Velits will have surgery on his left leg to treat an overuse injury, the BMC Racing Team announced Monday.

BMC Racing Team Chief Medical Officer Dr. Max Testa said the injury has developed over the past few months. Part of the BMC Racing Team's victorious team time trial squad at the world championships last September, Velits's best finish this season has been 27th on Stage 1 at the Tour of Oman.

"His leg has definitely been bothering him the past few weeks," Dr. Testa said. "So after the medical staff consulted with an external specialist, we decided it was best for him to have surgery."

Velits said the problem first revealed itself in training camp last December, though it did not initially affect his performance.

"But as the season started, the symptoms got worse so we decided to undergo surgery," he said. "The team has been very supportive in every aspect, which I am very thankful for. I am looking forward to get back to racing with the team again."

Dr. Testa said Velits will undergo surgery in the next week or two. If everything goes to plan, Velits will be back to racing by mid-summer, he said.