World champion Lotte Kopecky deserted the Giro d’Italia Ladies forward of stage six to be able to get better for the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift.
The SD Worx-Protime rider reportedly has decrease again ache, however her staff stay assured that she can be again to her greatest for the Tour, which begins on 26 July in Vannes.
The 29-year-old, who completed second on the Giro final 12 months, misplaced time on the 2 mountain phases thus far at this race, stage two to Aprica and stage 4 to Pianezze. This under-performance was on account of that again concern, her staff mentioned.
“Lotte has ache in her decrease again; that’s why issues didn’t go as they need to on the climbs. Beneath these circumstances, there was little level in going all-out on the ending climb, and Lotte selected to take it straightforward,” SD Worx sports activities director Danny Stam informed Het Laatste Nieuws on Wednesday.
“Lotte Kopecky won’t begin tomorrow’s sixth stage of the Giro d’Italia Ladies. The world champion remains to be experiencing some discomfort in her decrease again. As a precaution forward of the Tour de France Femmes, she is leaving the Giro d’Italia Ladies to take three to 4 days of full relaxation,” her staff mentioned in a press release on Thursday night.
“In accordance with the medical workers of Crew SD Worx–Protime, the discomfort in her decrease again ought to heal utterly with a number of days of relaxation. She is going to then have the ability to resume her preparations for the Tour de France Femmes as deliberate.”
Kopecky had come into this race with the focus squarely on the Tour later this summer time, which has been her huge aim all season. The world champion has solely gained twice thus far this 12 months, on the Tour of Flanders and the Belgian nationwide time trial championships.
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“Kopecky will journey the Giro d’Italia in preparation for the Tour de France Femmes. The general classification in France is her foremost aim,” Stam mentioned pre-race.
Nevertheless, the Belgian has come near outcomes on this Giro, ending second on the opening time trial, third behind teammate Lorena Wiebes on stage three, and fourth behind Wiebes on stage 5.
SD Worx’s Anna van der Breggen moved as much as third general on Thursday, 1:53 behind race chief Marlen Reusser (Movistar), forward of three extra arduous phases in Italy.
