Jasper Stuyven rode impressively well in his first appearance of the season at the Tour of Qatar, but the 22-year old Belgian will be forced to take an unscheduled break from competition, being one of many victims of the Strade Bianche. Trek Factory Racing youngster crashed on famous white gravel roads while riding in a support of Fabian Cancellara and it remains uncertain whether he will take a start of the Tirreno-Adriatico next Wednesday.

„Jasper has sustained a deep cut in his left elbow during that crash,” his team told Sporza.

„The wound – which was contaminated with gravel – was cleaned and saw in a hospital. Jasper also suffered abrasions on his left leg and injured his back.”

Despite being forced to undergo a surgery to have his wound properly cleaned, Stuyven managed to keep his spirits high.

„Finally made it out of the hospital. Needed surgery to clean the stones in my elbow and get it stitched up. Long wait & now I'm very hungry,” he wrote on his Twitter account.

In such circumstances, an appearance of the young Trek Factory Racing rider in the upcoming Tirreno-Adriatico remains a question mark.

„He had a difficult night due to severe pain in his elbow, but today we will allow him to go out for a light training ride. We will decide about his participation in Tirreno afterwards.”