Canada’s Svein Tuft will not be making the trip to Delhi, India for the Commonwealth Games this week. The Garmin-Transitions rider finished a disappointing 26th in the World Time Trial Championships in Melbourne, Australia last week, 4’55” behind Swiss winner Fabian Cancellara; he also finished the road race in the last big group on the road, 13’53” behind Norway’s Thor Hushovd.
Although he was a medal hope in the Delhi time trial, Tuft has come to a mutual agreement with Canadian Cycling Association High Performance Director Jacques Landry to withdraw from the team, citing tiredness after a long season.
2010 has been Tuft’s most successful year to date, but it began in early February with the Tour of Qatar; his place will be taken by Cervélo TestTeam rider Dominique Rollin.
“Svein’s presence will be missed in Delhi,” said Landry, “although we have a solid replacement in Dominique Rollin. Given Svein’s ride in Melbourne it has become apparent that the weight of a full season has caught up to him and he is in dire need of a mental and physical rest. A medal in London depends on Svein being competition ready.”
There has also been an enforced change to the women’s team after Alison Testroete was injured in a training crash. The 27-year-old hit a car that stopped in front of her while out riding near Lucca, Italy; she injured her jaw and needs time to recover, and so will be unable to travel to India.
Her place will be taken in the Canadian women’s team by Vera Bradley Foundation teammate Anne Samplonius, who won last month’s Chrono Champenois.
“Our thoughts are with Alison as she lives through this,” said Landry. "We sincerely hope that she will be on the road to recovery and we are disappointed that she will not be part of the Canadian delegation in Delhi as she is a valuable asset to our team given the type of road course at these Games. Her presence will be missed.”