Jeff Louder (BMC) driving the pace on the front of the break. (Image credit: Jonathan Devich/epicimages.us)
Jeff Louder (BMC Racing Team) has withdrawn from the US team for Sunday's world championship road race in Mendrisio, Switzerland. The 31-year-old Utah native is suffering from an illness which has cautiously been diagnosed as the H1N1 flu virus, his team announced on Tuesday.
"I haven't been feeling well and saw Dr. Testa on Monday," said Louder. "Based on my condition and symptoms he diagnosed H1N1 and advised against training, racing and travelling.
"This pretty much puts an end to my season. I am not on my death bed but am definitely not in a way that would do the race, myself or the team any good. I'm pretty bummed. All I can do is recover and rest for next season I guess."
Louder had won this year's Redlands Classic, finished third at the both the Tour of Utah and the US national road championships and was gearing up for the second elite world championship of his career.
Louder's replacement for Sunday's road race has not yet been named.
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