Rabobank sprinter to pull out of Tour de Suisse early with same complaint as last year’s Giro d’Italia
Oscar Freire (Rabobank) is to quit the Tour de Suisse early as he is suffering with sinus problems, according to a statement from the Dutch team. The three-time World champion suffered from the same condition last season, causing him to miss the Giro d’Italia; his performance at the Tour de France was compromised, where his best results were two fifth places in the final three days.
He was successfully operated on in the Netherlands after the race; now though, it seems, the problem has flared up again. He will ride the next two flat stages but abandon the race before it hits the mountains once more.
The Spaniard, who lives in Switzerland, is to travel home after Wednesday's stage and have a repeat operation on Thursday. While the operation is said to be a simple one, it is not yet known how long his recovery will take, or whether it will prevent the sprinter from riding next month’s Tour de France.
Freire finished in the ‘autobus’ in both stages two and three with the other sprinters; the next two days should be far more suited to his characteristics.