Jens Voigt (Saxo Bank) is always popular (Image credit: Sirotti)
Germany's Jens Voigt has said he must skip the World Championships this year, following his horrific crash in stage 16 of this year's Tour de France. Germany selected him earlier this week on its preliminary team for the World Championships in Mendrisio, Switzerland, September 27.
“Jens is a practically a tradition in the squad,” said Udo Sprenger, the German federation's vice president, when he was announced the team. If he were unable to ride, “that wouldn't be a problem, first of all he needs to get well again.”
“I want to ride races again in September, but it absolutely won't be the Worlds,” the Voigt, 37, told the German news agency “SID”. Voigt said that he would not be in top form in time for the Worlds. “There are others who should be considered before me.”
Voigt suffered a severe concussion, a blood clot in his brain and a broken cheekbone in the crash. Doctors also diagnosed a broken jaw this week, for which Voigt will have surgery today.
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