Aqua Blue's Martyn Irvine has been forced to withdraw from the Baloise Belgium Tour following a crash on Stage One.

Irvine suffered a hairline fracture on his right hip. He was treated at University Hospital Ghent having arrived there by race ambulance.

"I am very disappointed and I am sad to leave the race so early," he said in a statement.

"The doctors have said to me that I should be recovered hopefully after five or six weeks of rest. I just want to thank the team, the medical staff on the race, the staff of University Hospital Gent and the many people who have sent me messages."

He is now recovering at the team hotel and will travel back to Ireland tomorrow.

Martyn Irvine is in hospital in Ghent. Minor hairline fracture to the right hip. 5/6 weeks recovery ahead. #BaloiseBelgiumTour pic.twitter.com/lCJCyZw9ya

— Aqua Blue Sport (@AquaBlueSport) May 24, 2017