Bradley Wiggins' chances of winning a fourth Olympic gold medal were handed a boost on Sunday, when former Tour de France champion Cadel Evans pulled out of Wednesday's time trial.
Evans has been withdrawn from the Games time trial due to fatigue, the Australian Olympic Committee announced.
The 2011 Tour de France champion finished 80th in the 250-kilometre Olympic road race on day one, but after a gruelling season will now not take to the start line for the 44km race against the clock.
A statement read: 'Cadel Evans will not compete in the men's individual time-trial event.
'He has been seen by the cycling doctor Dr Mark Fisher and Olympic team medical director, Dr Peter Baquie, and they have confirmed he is fatigued and will not recover in time for Wednesday.
'Cycling has advised he will not be replaced with another athlete in that event.
'Michael Rogers will be the only Australian athlete to compete in the men's individual time-trial.'
Switzerland's Fabian Cancellara, the defending champion, crashed during the road race and rated his chances at 50-50 for the event, which Tour winner Bradley Wiggins of Great Britain will begin as favourite
No comments:
Post a Comment