Team Sunweb’s Tom Dumoulin is to miss the Tour de France after a physically challenging run up to the race means that he is unable to be in the best possible shape to tackle three hard weeks of racing in France.
Throughout various ups and downs, hope prevailed, but the decision is now made to give the 28-year-old the time he needs to recover from what’s been a very difficult period.
Tom said: “The last month has been extremely difficult overall, and with the setbacks in the knee recovery. After what happened at the Giro I really wanted to go for it in the Tour, but this week I realised it’s just not realistic for my level to be there in time. I’ve tried so hard to get there but I really have to listen to my body and release myself from chasing an unrealistic goal.”
Team Sunweb physician Anko Boelens explained: “Tom was really eager to be ready in time for the Tour and he tried all he could, but now the conclusion is that it’s simply not possible. We trusted in the process of rest, recuperation and a gradual return to racing but like in any recovery, there have been setbacks. Time isn’t on our side anymore to cater for setbacks so to give Tom the time he needs to get back to complete fitness can only be the right decision. Despite his strong will and ambition to race the TDF it’s better to let this goal go this year in favor of optimum recovery.”
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