Dolphin-Trek rider Rudi van Houts and reigning World Champion Irina Kalentieva (Topeak Ergon) will sit out this weekend's UCI World Cup round in Andorra.
Van Houts, a young rider, who finished fourth at the Benelux Cup race in Apeldoorn, has taken ill. Missing the Andorra round is crucial point for the Dolphin-Trek rider as this was one of his final three chances to qualify for the Olympics.
"I feel terrible in these circumstances, but there's nothing I can do about it then take some rest and recover," said van Houts. "I'll be focussing completely on the remaining World Cup in Fort William and the World Championships at Italy!", said Van Houts.
The Russian Kalentieva withdrew from last weekend's Bundesliga race on the second lap after she was not feeling fully recovered after a recent illness. "It was a shame, and for me, what distressed me was letting my home fans down, as the race is local to where I live. The anti-biotics I took though simply haven't left me with enough condition to ride properly," said the disappointed rider, who had won the previous year's event in a sprint.. "If I had tried to [finish], then the damage would be greater."
Kalentieva is already looking toward ahead. "Together with the Olympics, the World Championship is my highlight of the season. For that reason I need to be 100% fit."
Stay tuned to Cyclingnews for complete coverage coming up for this weekend's round of the UCI World Cup.
