Australian cyclist Heinrich Haussler has had another injury setback, breaking his collarbone in a training crash.
It means the 2015 Australian road champion will miss the Dubai Tour starting on February 6.
The 33-year-old has won stages at the Tour de France and Vuelta a Espana, but he is aiming for a big season after his career stalled.
Haussler only managed 12 days of racing last year because of injury and struggles with depression.
Despite this latest setback, Haussler remained upbeat about the season ahead.
"I feel and believe that this is just a small setback compared with what I've been through last year," he said in a Bahrain Merida team statement.
"I'm not really worried, it was a bit unfortunate, but the determination is higher then ever, and I will be back soon."
Haussler underwent surgery for the right collarbone fracture.
