Pozzato has surgery

The Italian sustained a compound fracture of his left collarbone during the final stage of the Tour of Belgium, with doctors operating on Monday.

Pozzato also broke his wrist in the tumble, which occurred when the 29-year-old tangled with another rider with 10km to go of the race's final stage. The wrist did not require surgery.

The team said that he will be back in the saddle and ready to resume gradual training in 20 days time, effectively confirming that he will not be ready in time for the Tour de France on July 3.

Katusha had already said last week that they plan to put out an all-Russian line-up for the sport's showcase event.

Pozzato, who is out of contract at the end of this season, was omitted from the team's Giro d'Italia line-up after poor showings in the spring classics, for which he was publicly criticised by team manager Andrei Tchmil.