PARIS, Sept 1, 2009 (AFP) – Australian Robbie McEwen of the Katusha team has called an end to his “disastrous season” which has been marred by a bad fall and two other accidents.

McEwen called his May 28 accident on the second stage of the Tour of Belgium as “by far the worst one I’ve had during my 14 year pro career and the effect has been that my 2009 season is over”.

“I had hoped to make a return to racing but the initial injury, operation, rehab, subsequent operation to remove the hardware securing the fracture, tendinitis and the recovery time required has put paid to those hopes,” the 37-year-old said.

“I tried to come back during the post-Tour criteriums as a test but it was too early and I had too much pain from the screws. I was operated on a second time on August 25 to remove the screws and face more weeks of recovery and rehab.

“My doctors have advised me after the latest scans and operation that I should write off 2009. I am not able nor allowed to race until medicals test show that I’m back to 100 percent fitness.”

McEwen said instead that he would now be fully focused on a full recovery and preparing for the 2010 season with Katusha, with his first race likely to be the Tour Down Under in his homeland.

“My 2010 goals are the National Championship, Tour Down Under, Milan-San Remo, Giro, Tour and World Championships in Geelong where we once again get a sprinter friendly course,” he said.