Dimension Data provided a medical update on Steve Cummings, who crashed and retired on stage 5 of the Tour of Britain.

"After a thorough evaluation by the neurosurgery department in Liverpool, it was determined that he had fractured four vertebrae in his thoracic spine. 'Fortunately, there was no further neurological damage and no need for surgery.'

"Under conservative treatment, he will need to make a full recovery and will not be able to participate in future races until the end of the season. We appreciate the messages of support for Steve and wish him a speedy recovery."

The announcement also means that Cummings' contract with the team will expire at the end of this year, and unless a renewal or a new contract with another team is offered, he may be racing his last race as a professional.

Cummings told Cycling News the day before the crash that he would like to race one more season in 2020 (ideally with Dimension Data), but if he is not offered a contract, he will accept that his professional cycling career is over and move on to the next phase of his life

"I'm still working on it.

"I haven't talked to the team yet, I haven't been approached. I'm not worried because I've always done my best and I'm just looking forward."

"If this is my last year, I'm happy with that too. This race could be my last, and all the next ones could be my last."

"I'm studying for a degree in business and sports management. 'I want to get a degree, but it's not for a bit of paper. I want to study and learn and keep learning. I think that's important in this sport. Whatever I do, I want to embrace change and make a difference, not just tell people I know everything because I rode a bike for 15 years. I'm the opposite of that. I want to keep learning