Alvarez fractures arm

Team Giant Italia's Ivan Alvarez Guiterrez crashed at the HC-category International Mountain Bike Race in Bern, Switzerland, on Sunday and broke his arm. Alvarez will be out of competition for six weeks, which means he will miss the World Championships in Australia and the final World Cup in Austria.

Alvarez fractured his radius in the crash and immediately underwent surgery in Switzerland.

"Starting next week, we will focus on the last part of the season and define a new calendar for our team leader," said Team Manager Gianfranco Bechis of Alvarez's recovery. "In the month of October, Team Giant Italia will attend the Roc d'Azur, the Gimondi Bike and the La Prevostura marathon.