Froome to miss Paris-Nice due to illness


British rider Chris Froome will not start Paris-Nice on Sunday as he is still recovering from a chest infection, the Sky team announced on Thursday evening.
The British 2011 Vuelta a Espana runner-up was due to take part in the race alongside Sky team-mates Bradley Wiggins, Geraint Thomas and Richie Porte. Froome has been suffering with chest problems since the Tour of the Algarve.
"Chris has not yet recovered from the chest infection he picked up at the Volta ao Algarve," said Sky team doctor Richard Freeman in a press release.
"He's improving and it's nothing serious but by skipping Paris-Nice this gives him ample time to recover.
"The team felt this was the best approach for the rider and he'll be back to his best in no time."
Froome will be replaced in Sky's eight-man line-up for the race by Spaniard Xabier Zandio.
Paris-Nice starts on Sunday, March 4, in Dampierre-en-Yvelines with a punchy 9.4km individual time trial. The race concludes with an uphill time trial from Nice to Col d'Eze on Sunday, March 11.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
On paper, the race would have suited Froome's climbing and time trialling talents that he ably displayed on his way to coming second in the 2011 Vuelta a Espana, the equal highest placing in history of any British rider in a Grand Tour.
Team Sky squad for Paris-Nice 2012
Christian Knees, Danny Pate, Richie Porte, Kanstantsin Siutsou, Geraint Thomas, Rigoberto Uran, Bradley Wiggins and Xabier Zandio.
Related links
Paris-Nice 2012: Cycling Weekly's coverage index
Wiggins for Paris-Nice; Cavendish for Tirreno-Adriatico
Chris Froome: Rider Profile
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Nigel Wynn worked as associate editor on CyclingWeekly.com, he worked almost single-handedly on the Cycling Weekly website in its early days. His passion for cycling, his writing and his creativity, as well as his hard work and dedication, were the original driving force behind the website’s success. Without him, CyclingWeekly.com would certainly not exist on the size and scale that it enjoys today. Nigel sadly passed away, following a brave battle with a cancer-related illness, in 2018. He was a highly valued colleague, and more importantly, an exceptional person to work with - his presence is sorely missed.
-
Elisa Longo Borghini emerges as Flanders favourite with Dwars door Vlaanderen victory
The Italian rider soloed to her 50th career win ahead of an elite pack of chasers
By James Shrubsall Published
-
'We did a beautiful race up until 10km to go' - Visma-Lease a Bike pull defeat from the jaws of victory at Dwars door Vlaanderen
With such a difficult second place on Wednesday, could this performance affect confidence ahead of the Tour of Flanders?
By Adam Becket Published