Australia’s Olympic road cycling medal hopes have taken a blow with star rider Simon Gerrans forced out through injury.

Gerrans has been ruled out after undergoing surgery at the weekend on a broken collarbone suffered in a crash in the Tour de France on Friday AEST.

The 36-year-old Gerrans would have been a key figure in Australia’s men’s road race team in Rio.

Simon Gerrans riding for Orica
Simon Gerrans riding for Orica