Waregem  - 8th March, 2010 - Gert Steegmans, who crashed yesterday in the prologue of Paris-Nice has been successfully operated on by the team of Dr. Lenaert of the OLV van Lourdes Hospital in Waregem, Belgium. Dr. Sioen, orthopedist, fixed the left collar bone fracture with a solid plate and nine screws. Most likely Gert Steegmans will be able to ride on the rollers within a week. Competition however is excluded for a longer period . If no complications occur, the doctors expect a full recovery after eight weeks.

The rider showed several deep road rashes on the left side of his body. These were cleaned and will probably heal over the next few weeks. A hospitalization of two days is expected. Today Gert Steegmans is absolutely unable to give any comments. He will give a press conference - no individual interviews - in the hospital on Tuesday, March 9th, at 12.00 (12 PM).