Current WorldTour leader Chris Froome could end up losing a contest he has headed for several months as a result of an injury which has forced him out of tomorrow’s Il Lombardia Classic.
The Team Sky rider had been hoping to use the race to make up for the disappointment of pulling out of the world road race championships but after complaining of back stiffness then, it seems the problem hasn’t abated in the days since.
He confirmed today that he would not be lining out in the Classic.
“Sadly, I won't be able to compete at Il Lombardia on Sunday,” he said in a team statement.
“I had some back pain at the World Championships last weekend and it hasn’t settled down as I'd hoped.”
The team’s doctor Alan Farrell has provided further details of what the actual issue is. “A scan this week revealed that Chris is suffering from an inflamed sacroiliac joint. We are monitoring him as a team but unfortunately the injury means he will not be able to take part in the race this weekend.”
Froome took over the WorldTour lead in July when he won the Tour de France, and has held it since then. His closest challenger is Joaquim Rodriguez (Katusha), who showed his strong form when he finished second in the world championship road race last Sunday.
He was arguably the strongest rider but was outfoxed by Rui Costa of Portugal.
Rodriguez will take over the WorldTour lead from Froome if he wins tomorrow, and will draw level on points if he takes second.
The Spaniard won Il Lombardia twelve months ago, and took the WorldTour title in 2010 and 2012.
Should he take over the lead, it is unclear if Froome will head to China and fight back in the Tour of Beijing. He stated last month that he wanted to ride that event, but his intentions at this point are not known.