Cycling: Tom Dumoulin (Sunweb) will not be able to tackle the 2019 Tour de France. The Dutchman decided himself to stay away from the Tour of France this year due to an injury that has not fully recovered.
There was a pebble in Tom Dumoulin's knee
Actually, everything looked half as wild. After his crash at the Giro d'Italia, Tom Dumoulin appeared to be well on his way to getting in shape for the Tour de France. The Dutchman started at the Critérium du Dauphiné and was strong at the beginning. But then he gave up. He then underwent surgery on his left knee. That's where the doctors found one small pebble. Nevertheless, the Sunweb team reported: "Dumoulin's start at the Tour is not in danger." Now, just a few days later, it is certain: The Tour de France 2019 will take place without last year's runner-up.
Press release from Team Sunweb:
“Tom is not in a position to start the Tour de France in top form. He tried very hard to be ready on time. He's tried everything. But there have been setbacks. Now we have to realize that the time left until the start is simply not enough.”
Sunweb now has to completely reorient itself
The 28-year-old would have started as the undisputed captain. Now the German team Sunweb has to set new goals. With the Australian Michael Matthews you can safely go hunting for stages, maybe even attack the green jersey again. The German Nickias Arndt will be hoping for a chance in the sprint finishes. wilco kelderman from the Netherlands could either go for the general classification or try the stage hunt in the high mountains.
Tom Dumoulin:
“Overall, the past month has been extremely difficult and has seen setbacks in knee rehabilitation. After the Giro exit, I really wanted to try the Tour. But this week I realized that being fit in time is just not realistic at my level. I've tried really hard, but I have to listen to my body and stop chasing such an unrealistic goal."
Throughout various ups and downs, hope prevailed, but unfortunately @tom_dumoulin is to be missed #TDF2019????????
🗣“I realized 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."
💻https://t.co/oeguI2thGe pic.twitter.com/uB8Nuytdm0
— Team Sunweb (@TeamSunweb) June 20, 2019
Leave a Comment