Jurgen Roelandts is targeting a return to action at Tirreno-Adriatico after breaking his neck at the Tour Down Under.

The Belgian Lotto-Belisol rider broke the sixth cervical vertebra, located at the base of the neck, in a crash that marred the opening stage of the Australian race.

The 26-year-old has been given the green light to return to light training on the rollers following a medical check-up.

However an infected nerve in the shoulder is still causing the former Belgian champion pain and will require more specific treatment.

Tirreno-Adriatico, the third event on the 2012 UCI WorldTour, commences on March 7.

Eurosport