ITALIAN CYCLIST VINCENZO Nibali has undergone surgery after fracturing a vertebrae in his back during the Tour de France.

The four-time Grand Tour winner retired from the prestigious race following a crash late on stage 12.

Team Bahrain-Merida rider Nibali did the damage on a tight crowded stretch of road when a spectator’s camera strap got caught on his handlebars on the gruelling climb of the Alpe d’Huez.

A statement from his team confirmed he went under the knife today: “Bahrain Merida Pro Cycling Team rider Vincenzo Nibali has undergone a successful surgery after fracturing the tenth thoracic vertebrae in a crash during stage 12 of the Tour de France.

“The operation was performed by Neurosurgeon Prof. Giovanni Broggi, assisted by Dt. Levi, at the clinic “La Madonnina” in Milan.

Team Bahrain-Merida say the Italian should be back in training on a static bike “in a few days” before returning to the road as he attempts to get back to full fitness for the Vuelta a Espana which begins on 25 August.

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