A year after COVID-19 and bronchitis ruined his early season campaign, Gianni Moscon is facing life on the sidelines again after breaking his collarbone in a crash at the Tour Down Under.

The Italian rider, who is in his second year with Astana Kazakstan, crashed on Friday's third stage with teammate Leonardo Basso. However, while Basso quickly restarted and completed the stage, albeit 12 minutes late, Moscon was game over and left the race.

Astana Kazakstan confirmed the injury and announced that Moscon would undergo surgery in Australia.

"Medical tests have confirmed a fracture of Gianni Moscon's left clavicle. Our rider will be operated on by Dr. Nicholas Chabrel at Calvary Adelaide Hospital."

Depending on the extent of the fracture, the injury will likely keep Moscon out of action for a month to six weeks, severely hampering his preparations for this year's Spring Classic.

He has won the Tour of the Broad West and the Arctic Race in Norway and placed third in the 2017 Il Lombardia.

However, his career with the British team was ruined by a series of incidents, including racist rants against Kevin Reza and violence against other riders.

The move to 2022 promised a fresh start, but by spring he had suffered multiple health problems and prematurely ended his Classic campaign due to "sub-zero" bike conditions.

He competed in the Tour de France in Astana, but the team left the race after stage 8, citing "long covidos." It was later discovered that he was suffering from a bacterial infection in his blood, which was resolved with a course of antibiotics.

At the Tour de Langkawi at the end of the season, he finished in the top 10 twice and was the top result of the year.