Trek-Segafredo, announced this morning that John Degenkolb has abandoned the Vuelta a España before the start of stage 5 due to bronchitis.
Degenkolb, winner of ten stages and the points jersey in previous editions of the Vuelta said: “I never had to abandon in a Grand Tour, so I am extremely disappointed to leave the Vuelta. I came here in good shape and with two goals: win a stage and heIp Alberto (Contador) to get a really great result in his last race as a professional rider.
“Unfortunately I got sick two days ago and that was that. I tried to fight myself a way through the stages, hoping that my body would recover, because I had the legs but when you cannot breath properly it’s just impossible to keep going.”
“To be honest I am really frustrated. I started the season well with a victory in Dubai and a lot of top 10 places at the spring classics, but after that, it just never went like I hoped and expected for. Anyway, health comes first now and the season is not over yet so I don’t want to take risks now. So, I will go home, recover and focus on the rest of the season.”
Team doctor, Piet De Moor said: “When John fell sick, two days ago, we started the treatment right away and we hoped that his condition would improve quickly. Sadly enough, that was not the case. He needs to rest as much as he can to give his body the opportunity to recover as quickly as possible. For now it’s difficult to say when John will return to racing. All depends on how quickly he recovers.”
