Cadel Evans has pulled out of this month’s world road cycling titles in the Netherlands after calling an early end to his testing season.
The 2011 Tour de France champion has been dogged by illness and injury with a knee complaint finishing him off for 2012.
The Australian has endured a testing northern summer, finishing seventh at the Tour de France before withdrawing from the time trial at the London Olympics because of exhaustion.
BMC’s team doctor Max Testa said there was no damage to the knee and no signs of the low-grade infection that has afflicted the 35-year-old this year.
“But considering there are so few races left, and with his current level of fitness, the medical staff and management decided to make this the end of his season,” he said.
Evans was not prepared to risk his 2013 campaign by pushing himself at the world titles in Limburg and Tour of Lombardia this month.
“I’m disappointed surely, but in the end, there’s nothing I can do,” Evans said.
“I wanted to come back and race this year but it could possibly compromise my 2013.
“At this point, we can’t afford to do that. So I’ll completely recover and do what I can to be back to my normal level next year.”
Fancy a wager on your favourite sport? Head on over to PlayUp for great odds and friendly customer service and pick a winner. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.
Australia's Jai Hindley has said he is "lost for words" after a shock stage victory at the Tour de France earned him the leader's…
Australia's Jai Hindley has said he is "lost for words" after a shock stage victory at the Tour de France earned him the leader's…
Tadej Pogacar has won a drama-packed Tour of Flanders, winning in a breakaway with Matieu van der Poel second, Mads Pedersen third and Wout…
Women are not allowed to compete in the Tour de France. However you choose to re-read that sentence, the fact remains: the most famous…
The jam-packed month-by-month quiz full of 2022 sports trivia!
Australian Grace Brown has won silver in the women's time trial, the first event at the world road cycling championships.
