Bryan Coquard cracked his shoulder blade after falling at the B&B Hotels-Vital Concepts training camp in Calpe, Spain.

The French sprinter said in a statement that the injury will not interfere with the start of the 2020 season, although he will miss this weekend's six days in Berlin.

"I set off on a six-hour expedition and was leading the pack when my wheel slipped on a slippery corner. It didn't hurt too much, but I decided to stop training with Didier Rousse (Team Directeur Sportif) and have an X-ray."

Coquard, who signed a new two-year contract with the team last August, has fractured both shoulder blades twice before, in 2016 and 2018. This time, the injury is just a hairline crack in the right shoulder blade.

"I immediately felt that the scapula was affected, but it was much less painful than the last two times. There is no worry about shifting, just the fracture line. There is very little interference with my daily activities, but I will have to rest next week.

"There is no question about the start of this season. Here in Spain we have alternated between long days out and specific practices, and everyone has worked well. Compared to the past two years, everyone is calmer and more focused on the upcoming deadlines. I can't wait for the season to start."

The 27-year-old, who will become a father in March, plans to return to the Tour de France this year after last participating from Direct Energie in 2016. Vital Concepts has not been invited both of the last two times.

This year, his main goal will be to race on the road, where he has finished on the podium four times in his last three participations. He will also represent France in the track races at the Tokyo Olympics after being crowned European points race champion at the European Championships in Apeldoorn last October.

Cocard has so far announced several races that will kick off his 2020 campaign. He will compete in the Clasica de Almeria on February 16 and the Classique Loire Atlantique and Choret-Pays de la Loire on the weekend of March 28-29.