Mark Cavendish withdraws from Commonwealth Games following Milan Sanremo crash

The 32-year-old, who has been plagued by bad luck for over a year, struck a bollard on the approach to the climb of the Poggio with a little under 10 kilometres of the 294km race remaining.

Cavendish was sent flying through the air and landed on his back.

Tests revealed he had he suffered a rib fracture, and Cavendish has now been ruled out of the upcoming Commonwealth Games.

"After further medical examination this week it’s been confirmed that as expected Cavendish has avoided any serious, long term injury and is now working hard to recover from the broken rib and damaged ankle he suffered as a result of the crash last Saturday," read a statement on his team Dimension Data's website.

"Cavendish has however been forced into making immediate adjustments to his race schedule as he recovers from his injuries which include the disappointment of having to pull out of this year’s Commonwealth Games."

The Games start in Queensland, Australia on April 4.