SYDNEY - Australia's Olympic road cycling hopes were dented on Sunday as Simon Gerrans withdrew from the Rio Games after breaking his collarbone in a Tour de France crash.
Australia's Simon Gerrans was forced to quit the Tour de France cycling race on July 14, 2016, after breaking a collarbone in a crash
Road cyclist Gerrans, 36, was due to ride at his third Games, but was forced to quit the Tour on Thursday after breaking his collarbone in a crash. He later underwent surgery in Spain.
"With my current injury my (Olympics) preparation would be seriously jeopardised, and so too my performance at the Games," Gerrans wrote in a letter to team officials.
"For Australia to have the best chance to achieve the best result possible, I feel I should be replaced by one of the riders in the squad."
Cycling Australia will select a replacement rider later this week, the Australian Olympic Committee said.
Also representing Australia's men road cycling team are London Games' track silver medallist Rohan Dennis and Richie Porte, a regular Grand Tour contender.