Four-time Tour de France champion Chris Froome has suffered another setback en route to his hoped-for participation in the Tour of France. The 37-year-old Briton dropped out at the Dauphine Criterium before the start of the penultimate stage on Saturday. As his Israel-Premier Tech team said, Froome had been feeling unwell in the past few days and the task was being done as a precaution.
“I was looking forward to the last two stages, but I didn’t feel 100 percent good. It’s disappointing to leave the race early but I’ve made progress and I don’t want to risk going backwards at this important time of the season,” said Froome.
Tour de France participation questionable
The Brit had a serious fall on the Dauphine Tour three years ago and sustained multiple injuries. After lengthy rehabilitation, he never found his way back to his old strength. A slight improvement in form in the past few weeks was followed by the next setback. His already uncertain nomination for the tour, which begins on July 1, has become even more unlikely.