Alvaro Hodeg will return to Colombia in the next few days to recuperate after undergoing surgery for a broken shoulder suffered in a crash at the Tour de Eurometropol The Deceuninck-QuickStep rider is expected to be six weeks away from recovery.

Hodeg suffered a fractured left forearm, a broken right shoulder, and two broken ribs in the final Tour de Euro-Metropole race in Tournai.

Matteo Trentin (Mitchelton-Scott) and Jacopo Guarnieri (Groupama-FDJ) criticized the continued use of this style of barrier in racing." Flat foot barriers are everywhere in the world!" Trentin wrote on Twitter.

Hodeg underwent surgery on Sunday at Roselaire, and Deceuninck-QuickStep reports that the 23-year-old did not tear his biceps tendon as initially feared. He has since been discharged from the hospital and is expected to return to Colombia early next week.

"It's not easy, but the hardest part is ending the season like this," Hodeg said. On the other hand, I am grateful that it couldn't have been any worse, and I want to thank everyone who helped me: the team, the doctors, the fans, etc."

"I will now rest, count the days until I can get back on the bike, and start preparing for an even more successful season with the Wolfpack."

Hodeg will spend three weeks in a cast and will rest for another three weeks before beginning training for the 2020 season. The Colombian sprinter has won seven races in his second season with Deceuninck-Quick Step, including a stage win at the Bink Bank Tour and last week's Munsterland Giro.