German Linus Gerdemann is doubtful for this year's Tour de France because of a leg injury, his High Road team said.

Gerdemann, who wore the overall leader's yellow jersey in last year's Tour after winning a mountain stage in Le Grand Bornand, broke his leg in the Tirreno Adriatico race time trial on Sunday.

"Linus Gerdemann crashed during a time trial in the Tirreno Adriatico stage race in Italy and finished the race with fractures on his left upper and lower leg," High Road said.

"After extensive diagnostic examination, wounds and contusions on several parts of his body were treated, and two small fractures and damage to cruciate ligaments of his left knee were diagnosed and treated.

"Additional minor surgical treatment will be performed in the next few days, and a break from training of one to two months is expected," the team's statement added.

Gerdemann said: "I will do my very best to be back on the bike as soon as possible and I will fight to become part of the 2008 Tour de France."

Another High Road rider, Australian Michael Rogers, has been ruled out of competition for eight weeks after being diagnosed with Epstein-Barr virus.

The Tour de France starts from Brest on July 5.

Reuters