Bitter Blow for Bernal as he breaks Collarbone ahead of the Giro d'Italia

Collarbone fracture takes Egan Bernal out of Giro d'Italia and leaves Team Ineos in the lurch

Colombian cyclist Egan Bernal has broken his collarbone in a training accident, ruling him out of the upcoming Giro d’Italia.

Bernal had been one of the pre-race favorites and was expected to lead Team Ineos — which was formerly known as Team Sky — when the three-week Giro begins next weekend.

Late Saturday, Bernal posted a story on Instagram showing him wearing a hospital gown and giving a thumbs-up. The accompanying caption in Spanish read, “I’ll see you soon, my friends. Don’t worry – this only gives me motivation to train hard for the rest of the season.”

The 22-year-old Bernal won the weeklong Paris-Nice race in March for Ineos’ only major win this season.

Bernal now could ride in support of defending champion Geraint Thomas and four-time winner Chris Froome at the Tour de France.

Pavel Sivakov of Russia, a 21-year-old who recently won the Tour of the Alps, will likely now be Ineos’ leader for the Giro.