Chris Froome has pulled out of this week’s Tirreno-Adriatico due to a chest infection, denying fans a highly anticipated first showdown between the world’s four best stage-racers.
The Briton was named in Team Sky’s squad last week but this morning announced his decision to withdraw from the seven-day race, which starts with a team time-trial on Wednesday in Lido di Camaiore. Alberto Contador, Vincenzo Nibali and Nairo Quintana are still due to ride the Italian coast-to-coast.
“This is obviously frustrating after the good start that I’ve had to the season, but it’s a minor setback. I’ve been ill for a few days now and unfortunately I couldn’t shake it off in time for the race,” Froome said. “After speaking with the doctors we decided as a precaution that it would be best to take a few days off the bike to recover fully.
“We’re only at the start of the season and I should be fine to race the Volta a Catalunya later this month.
“We have a very strong team going into Tirreno-Adriatico. The mood in the camp is great. I’ll be following the race closely and wish my team-mates all the best.”
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Froome has been replaced in the team by Kanstantsin Siutsou, the Belarusian. Also riding are Leopold Koenig, Mikel Nieve, Wout Poels, Salvatore Puccio, Ian Stannard, Elia Viviani and Vasil Kiryienka.
Nibali won Tirreno-Adriatico in 2012 and 2013. Contador won in 2014, when Quintana came second.