“Chris Froome has not been feeling well for two days, and under the advice of the medical staff, the team has decided that it would be best for Chris to rest and begin his recovery as soon as possible,” Israel Premier Tech said. on Twitter. “I was impatient to compete in the last two stages of the Dauphiné, but I don’t feel 100%,” said the British rider. “It’s disappointing to leave the race before the end, but I’m making good progress and I don’t want to fall behind at this important moment of the season.”
Froome was in 76th position 11:19 behind Wout van Aert.
With two mountain stages still to be contested, Groenewegen, one of the few sprinters present at the Criterium, was no longer going to find suitable ground for him. “He will return home to recuperate and continue his preparation for the Tour de France,” explained BikeExchange-Jayco.
In the end, the Dutchman did not compete in any mass sprint, his best result being eighth place won on Friday 32 seconds from the group of six breakaways settled by Valentin Ferron.