For most Pro cyclists “back breaking” is usually a term reserved for epic climbs such as Mt Ventoux or Col Du Galibier, but for ex World number one Laurent Jalabert it now means household chores.

Jalabert was unlucky enough to fall off a chair while changing a lightbulb and has fractured three vertebrae. Although paralysed for a short time after the fall the damage apparently doesn’t look that serious and he’s hoping to be back on his bike in a few weeks time.

Unfortunately that means he misses the start of today’s Tour de Mediteraneen which he won last year, and it leaves the CSC / World Online team without aleader for the seasons openers.