Stuart O'Grady back on bike

Stuart O'Grady is back on his bike after a week or so on the home trainer. The winner of this year's Paris-Roubaix hit the streets of Monaco for the first time since his Tour de France crash.

"I managed to build it up to seventy kilometres yesterday, and I'm feeling extra good," he said. "I don't think I'll ride in Europe again this season, and [I] expect to head home to Australia in September or early October."

His next race could likely be the Tour Down Under, in January. "My team, CSC, hasn't yet confirmed that we'll be part of the race, but I am hopeful we'll be there". It is "very exciting news to hear that the event could become a part of the ProTour."

A crash in the eighth stage of the Tour de France left him with eight broken ribs, a punctured lung and a broken shoulder.

"I am still a little sore but my recovery has even surprised me." O'Grady and his wife recently celebrated the birth of their daughter, Keira Rose.

"I might even tackle a few local races under the Cycling SA banner once I get better prepared. Luke Roberts [CSC team-mate] and I came first and second in the Cycling SA state titles earlier this year, so another crack at an SA championship would be good, plus the Aussie titles could be on the agenda as well. I just need to get right and in a ready to race type condition before I commit to anything."