This article originally appeared on Cyclingnews.com.
Bradley Wiggins has been ruled out of the Tour de France by his Sky team. In a statement on the team website on Friday afternoon, it was announced that the defending champion will not be on the start line of the Tour due to an “ongoing knee condition.”
Wiggins abandoned the Giro d’Italia citing a chest infection and a knee injury, and had struggled to train since, prompting speculation in Friday morning’s newspapers that he would be forced to forgo his Tour defence.
“With illness, injury and treatment Brad has gone past the point where he can be ready for the Tour. It’s a big loss but, given these circumstances, we won’t consider him for selection,” Sky manager Dave Brailsford said.
“He hasn’t been able to train hard since the Giro and now he needs further rest. Whilst we all know these things happen in sport, it doesn’t take away from the fact that this is a huge disappointment for everyone in the team – and above all for Brad.”
Wiggins admitted that it was a disappointment to miss out on lining up for the Tour with the number one dossard but explained that the nature of his injury – an inflammation of the left knee – meant that he could not train sufficiently to ensure an adequate level of form in July.
“It’s a huge disappointment not to make the Tour. I desperately wanted be there, for the team and for all the fans along the way - but it’s not going to happen,” Wiggins said.