Totschnig out with shattered collarbone

Team Elk Haus' Harald Totschnig will be out of action with a shattered collarbone for at least two months, the team announced Thursday. The 33 year-old suffered the injury in a crash in the second stage of the Giro del Trentino.

"I started an attack with two other riders," he said. "My front wheel slipped away in an oil puddle and I landed with my shoulder on the pavement." The Austrian flew home Wednesday and was operated on the same night, with a metal plate being inserted. "The care in Italy was really bad. Fortunately the operation in Austria went fine," said Elk Haus team manager Bernhard Rassinger.

"He is not expected to return to racing until the middle of July at the earliest. That means Harald won't be able to ride the Tour of Austria," Rassinger said. "That is major bad luck for him and for the team, which will have to do without one of its most important riders. I am very sorry for Harald. He was really motivated this year and already had very good form."