Australian cyclist Cadel Evans, who will undergo surgery on a broken collarbone on Monday, believes his chances of recovering in time to compete in the Tour de France are slim.

The 26-year-old Telekom team rider took a heavy fall in a race in Germany on Saturday, breaking his collarbone for the second time in six weeks.

"The chances of riding the Tour now are pretty slim because it took me five weeks to get back to race fitness after the last break and this time the fracture is worse," a disappointed Evans said.

Recalling the accident he added: "I hit the road hard and fell on my shoulder and head and fractured the bone in the same place as last time."

Evans said it was not the end of the world if he missed out on this year's race.

"If it turns out I can't start then maybe I'll focus on races later in the year and the World Championships (in Hamilton, Canada in October)."

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP