Xavier Zandio (Team Sky) has not competed since the Clasica San Sebastian. In fact, he resumed training last week after discovering in mid-August that he suffered a broken vertebra in a crasg on the sixth stage of the Tour de France.

The Spaniard has since recovered and has resumed training after two months on the sidelines. Zandio suffered two hard crashes in the Tour de France, the second on July 10 in the sixth stage between Arras and Reims. He had to abandon the race with heavy bruises to the back and knee. He rested well and returned to the bike in order to do the Vuelta a Espana.

However, his felt that he was not fully recovered. He suffered on the bike and could not sleep well. Still, he returned to racing in San Sebastian on August 2. But his condition did not improve and on August 19 a medical examination in Pamplona revealed a broken vertebrae which put an end to his season.

Fortunately, the Sky rider returned to the road last week to catch up and start to prepare for next season. He still has a contract with the British team.

In 2014 he only had 43 days of competition: Mallorca, California, Paris-Nice, Basque Country, Romandie, Dauphiné and its only two abandonments, Tour de France and Clasica San Sebastian. At 37, he will face a new season in the professional peloton, his 15th. Since 2011, he has been with Dave Braislford's team.