Mark Cavendish has taken the "difficult decision" to undergo shoulder surgery, which will rule him out for the remainder of the season.
The Etixx - Quick-Step rider picked up the injury during the recent Tour of Britain, forcing him to pull out of the event.
Having also withdrawn from the UCI World Road Race Championships, Cavendish has revealed that he will now be out of action for a prolonged period of time as he aims to fully recover from the setback.
"It has been a very difficult decision," the Briton is quoted as saying by BBC Sport. "The surgery was necessary to avoid any problems in the near future.
"After 10 days from the crash, I still had pain and I couldn't lift or pull much weight. I tried to ride my bike a few days ago on the road, but I could not put any power out by pulling on the handlebars. There's nothing I can do now except take a period of rest, and then start with intensive rehab."
Cavendish dislocated his other shoulder and suffered ligament damage last July after crashing early on at the Tour de France.
Daniel Lewis
