Bradley Wiggins has targeted next month’s Vuelta a Espana to make his return from a serious injury suffered at the Tour de France (Alberto Contador 7/4 Tour de France Outright).

The Team Sky rider was sixth in the overall standings going into stage seven last weekend when he was injured in a multiple pile up.

A broken collarbone instantly ruled him out of the rest of the Tour, with fellow Brit Mark Cavendish eventually going on to win the 218km stage in Chateauroux (Cavendish 4/6 favourite to win Stage 11 - Blaye-les-Mines).

Three-time Olympic gold medal winner Wiggins had a successful operation on Monday and despite being ruled out of the upcoming Tour of Britain and British time-trial Championships, he believes he can be fit for Vuelta, seen as preparation for September’s World Championships road time-trial in Denmark.

“Feeling more human this evening and am already planning for end of the season,” Wiggins said on Twitter.

“All focus on World’s TT now as the big one for the end of the season with most likely prep being the Vuelta, which will be a first for me.

“Only downside being will miss Nat TT and TOB!! But something has to give as hadn’t planned on crashing out of TDF.”