Cummings breaks elbow

Steve Cummings: BMC Racing rider suffers broken elbow

Steve Cummings suffered a broken elbow in a crash towards the end of the opening stage of the Tour of Belgium.

The Briton, who has been with BMC Racing since leaving Team Sky in 2011, crashed with around 20 kilometres remaining of the ride from Lochristi to Buggenhout.

Cummings was disposing of a drinks bottle when he suddenly lost control and tumbled onto the pavement, hitting the ground hard.

Although he was able to complete the stage more than 17 minutes behind stage winner Tom Boonen, team doctor Dario Spinelli said X-rays confirmed a small fracture.

Cummings, who won the Tour Mediterranean and finished second at the Tour of Dubai, also suffered a contusion on his left hip.

“As I threw the bottle, my front wheel hit a hole and threw me off balance and then I just fell. It was a bit weird,” said Cummings, who faces a spell on the sidelines because of his injuries.

“I am disappointed. I was looking forward to this race and other races, so I am really disappointed.”