[Bart]

Crocked Peugeot star Gilles Panizzi has withdrawn from the season's penultimate asphalt event, next week's Rallye Deutschland.

The French driver broke the collarbone in his right shoulder when he fell off a ladder while changing a lightbulb in his home over a week ago.

While the fracture should be healed soon, the asphalt ace said the torn ligaments he sustained in the fall will take longer to recover.

"It was a tough decision to come to," said Panizzi. "The reduction of the fracture passed off perfectly, but the torn ligaments need much longer – a period of five of six weeks. It was therefore a bit tight, but I will be ready for the Sanremo Rally in September."

Peugeot has already confirmed that Harri Rovanpera, the team's usual gravel exponent, will drive the third works 206 on the German tarmac event.

(Bron: wrc.com)