In what’s sure to give him a further strength-to-weight ratio advantage, Lance Armstrong has received the first carbon fiber implant ever. Ã‚Â Working with the OCLV experts at Trek, the Bontrager team developed the composite clavicle to get Lance back on the bike and ready for the Giro. Ã‚Â Here’s the official word:

PRESS RELEASE:Ã‚Â Today, Lance Armstrong and Bontrager released more detail regarding Armstrong’s recent collarbone surgery. While it was previously reported that Armstrong’s right clavicle was screwed and plated back together after his March 23rd crash at the Castilla y Leon stage race in Spain, Armstrong and equipment sponsor Bontrager, jointly announced that he was the world’s first recipient of an inFormÃ‚Â® Full Carbon Clavicle Upgrade.

Originally slated to be released at the AAOS (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeon) Convention May 18-24th in Las Vegas, Bontrager moved up the launch date of the inForm CarbonClavicleÃ¢â€žÂ¢ to aid the return of Armstrong to the peloton.

Ã¢â‚¬Å“The original intent of the Bontrager inForm line was to use medical research to aid us in creating better cycling contact points, such as saddles, shoes and grips. But when we did the research into the most common cycling related injuries, the broken collarbone proved to be an area where we could actually help cyclists get back on the road sooner,Ã¢â‚¬Â relates John Balmer, head of Bontrager Development.

The CarbonClavicleÃ¢â€žÂ¢, available in 4 male sizes and 4 WSD (Women’s Specific Design) sizes for both left and right shoulders, is an actual carbon fiber replacement of the clavicle. Developed with the aid of Sports Medicine Specialist Dr. Mark Timmerman, a Bontrager consultant, the inForm CarbonClavicle has greater shock absorption, greater impact strength and a greater tensile strengthÃ¢â‚¬â€while being grams lighter than the OEM bone.

Read “more” for detailed photos and X-Rays…

Ã¢â‚¬Å“The installation on Armstrong was completely coincidental, but I must admit, the Bontrager marketing team was doing high-fives when we heard about Lance’s crash. It really was a marketing god-send. I mean, could there have been a better way to launch the new Bontrager medical Upgrade line?Ã¢â‚¬Â explains Chris Clinton, Bontrager Marketing Manager.

The installation procedure is substantially quicker than the conventional collarbone repair procedures of stabilizing, drilling and pinning, as this is a full replacement. Essentially, the broken bone is completely removed and the carbon one is anchored in place. Armstrong’s procedure took approximately 30 minutes and will reduce his recovery time from 3 weeks to typically 5-7 days for the sutures to fully heal.

The delay in releasing details was due to an extended approval process with the UCI, which has now ruled that since this piece is structural yet provides only minor aerodynamic advantage over the traditionalÃ‚Â bumpÃ‚Â of a healed broken clavicle, it falls with the current parameters of the UCI rules.

Future sponsorship plans include full support and pre-emptive upgrades for the full Trek-Livestrong U23 team. Ã¢â‚¬Å“These guys are early in their careers, and if averages apply to the team, we think we can prevent about 10 or more future breaks across the 12 members of the team,Ã¢â‚¬Â adds Clinton.

Backed by the best in industry Bontrager 5 year warranty, inForm CarbonClavicles will be available through referrals from Trek and Fisher dealers exclusively. Retail prices will be set by the retailer.