Tom Dumoulin will miss the Tour de France as a knee injury sustained at the Giro d'Italia continues to hamper the rider. Team Sunweb confirmed in a press release, stating that the Dutchman would have to miss next month's Grand Tour 'after a physically challenging run up to the race means that he is unable to be in the best possible shape to tackle three hard weeks of racing in France.'
The 28-year-old crashed on Stage 4 of last month's Giro sustaining an injury to his right knee. He abandoned the next day citing an inability to ride at full capacity.
It was expected that Dumoulin would then reassess his season to focus on the Tour de France.
This looked to be going to plan when the former Giro champion was on the start list at the Criterium du Dauphine. However, he only managed to complete six stages before pulling out to rest his injuries and attempt to prepare for the Tour.
He then attempted to head to the Alps to complete an altitude camp as preparation but pulled out questioning whether he was ready to make a return to Grand Tour racing.
Team Sunweb physician Anko Boelens explained that Dumoulin has simply ran out of time to recover in time for the race.
'Tom was really eager to be ready in time for the Tour and he tried all he could, but now the conclusion is that it’s simply not possible. We trusted in the process of rest, recuperation and a gradual return to racing but like in any recovery, there have been setbacks,' said Boelens.
'Time isn’t on our side anymore to cater for setbacks so to give Tom the time he needs to get back to complete fitness can only be the right decision. It is now clear that he will not recover in time.'
Dumoulin also commented on the situation, citing his disappointment to miss a race that he managed to finish on the podium at just 12 months ago.
'The last month has been extremely difficult overall, and with the setbacks in the knee recovery. After what happened at the Giro I really wanted to go for it in the Tour, but this week I realised it’s just not realistic for my level to be there in time,' said Dumoulin.
'I’ve tried so hard to get there but I really have to listen to my body and release myself from chasing an unrealistic goal.'
The absence of Dumoulin means that only one rider from last year's podium, eventual winner Geraint Thomas, will be on the Tour start line in Brussels in two weeks' time.
This comes after third-place finisher Chris Froome crashed on a recon of the Stage 4 time-trial at the Dauphine, sustaining multiple bone fractures.