Team Sunweb rider Chris Hamilton has been forced onto the sidelines of the sport for an unspecified period after he ruptured a testicle out training.

He said the unusual, and very painful, injury was sustained when he crashed while out training the week before last.

While he crashed on what should have been the safe environment of a bike path, the fall caused significant pain that was diagnosed in hospital as a ruptured testicle.

He has taken to social media to explain what happened; in an open post accompanied by some good cheer.

Hamilton has been off the bike since the incident occurred nearly two weeks ago and he says he is not sure yet when he will be back in the saddle again.

“Almost two weeks ago I had a small crash in training. I wish I could say I was doing something gnarly. But no; just on a bike path,” he said.

“Nothing broken but since someone is going to ask what I did anyway; I ruptured a testicle. Yep, fellas it’s just as painful as you think it is.

“At the moment it’s a bit unknown how long my recovery will take but at this stage all I can say is the surgery to do some repairs went well and I’ll find out more in a follow up next week.

“I am pretty devastated to be sidelined for the Aussie summer. But who knows, maybe a change will be for the best. See you all out on the road soon.”

The 24-year-old missed the national road championships that took place today; an event he took U23 gold in four years ago.

It is a disappointing lay-off at the start of what still could be a breakthrough season for him as he was 8th in the Tour de Pologne last year and 6th in the Tour Down Under as well as best young rider overall.

