Cycling: Patrick Gretsch from Erfurt was removed from the tour squad of his team AG2R La Mondiale. Due to a poor form, the 27-year-old will not start the 102nd Tour de France.
It would have been Gretsch's second participation in the Tour de France, but a few days before the start in Utrecht, his team boss decided against the Erfurt's start. A few weeks ago, Gretsch secured his starting place for the Tour with a strong performance at the Giro d'Italia, but it is precisely this performance that seems to be missing now. According to his team boss, Vincent Lavenu, Gretsch has not been able to meet expectations in the last few days, so that the decision to take him to the tour had to be reconsidered. Gretsch is currently in a slump and his health comes first, says Lavenu. He is replaced by Frenchman Damien Gaudin.
With the loss of Patrick Gretsch, the German Tour squad shrinks from eleven to ten riders.
Leave a Comment