Chaoufi to take extended break

Tarik Chaoufi won't be seen in an Euskaltel line-up for at least two months, reports the team's website on Wednesday.

The Moroccan kick-started his second part of the year with the Vuelta a Madrid and Asturias in May, but he's now gone back to Morocco because a close relative of him is experiencing health problems.

He'll return to the Basque Country in mid-August, and will then embark on a series of one-day races in France, Belgium and the Netherlands.

Reigning national champ Chaoufi finished seventh in the Moroccan nationals the past weekend.