The 32-year-old cyclist of the Team Dimension Data was taken to hospital due to suffering a number of injuries.

The team doctor Jarrad van Zuydam said: “He came down pretty hard at around 55km/h and he sustained multiple abrasions and soft tissue injuries to his knees, hips, hands and some swelling on his face as well.

Tirreno-Adriatico was Cavendish’s first race since he suffered concussion and whiplash in a crash at the Abu Dhabi Tour

Cavendish thanked everyone that had sent messages and he hugely appreciated that.