Impey planning race return in August

Daryl Impey (Barloworld) has returned to Italy to prepare for his return to racing on August 6 in the GP Carnago. The South African was seriously injured after crashing in the final metres of this spring's Tour of Turkey, which he won.

"It will be good to be back in the peloton in August and I hope to get onto the podium in one of my remaining races, doing well for the team and the sponsors," he said.

In the final stage of the Tour of Turkey, Impey was brought down by Rabobank's Theo Bos. He suffered multiple fractures, with two fractured vertebrae in his lower back keeping him bed-ridden for two months, and a fractured jaw requiring him to keep a liquid diet.

Bos was subsequently suspended by the UCI for one month for the incident.

Impey, 24, began riding again two weeks ago and has been doing strength work in the gym. "I'm very happy with my recovery process," he said from South Africa. "Finally my jaw is free of wires and I am able eat properly and my back is definitely better. I started off with just 20 minutes a day and I feel I'm in the right direction. I managed to ride over three hours."