Guidi's troubles continue, Peña returns home

Following his crash at Gent-Wevelgem roughly two weeks ago, Phonak rider Fabrizio Guidi will be out for longer than first envisaged, and believes he will need "at least four weeks to return to full fitness".

After his initial operation to fix his broken arm sustained in the Belgian mid-week classic, Guidi began having problems with feelings in his fingers, and had to undergo a second operation last week. "At home, I will have to train ostensibly on the exercise bike, as I'm not allowed to put strain on the arm," said the 33 year-old Italian, who now lives in Switzerland.

For Guidi, this will obviously mean exclusion from the team for the Tour de Romandie, which begins next Tuesday, April 26, with team manager John Lelangue not expecting a return until much later. "Fabrizio Guidi will be available for the Phonak team's appearance in the Austria tour in July," said Lelangue in a team statement.

Meanwhile, no race appearances have been planned for Victor Hugo Peña, who suffered a fracture of the thoracic vertebrae after crashing in neutralised section of Paris-Roubaix. Peña has returned to his home and family in Colombia, where he will recuperate and train in preparation for the second half of the season.