Back, knees and the Olympics: These stars are foregoing the tour

All the stars of cycling are represented at the 108th Tour de France – at least almost all of them. Some voluntarily give up the most important race in the world, others have to miss out due to injuries.

SAM BENNETT: The sprint star and winner of last year's green jersey only follows the tour in front of the television. Sam Bennett withdrew a few days before the start in Brest due to knee problems and had to endure severe criticism from his team boss Patrick Lefevere. The gnarled Belgian doubted the severity of the injury and instead publicly accused Bennett of fear of failure. The 30-time stage winner Mark Cavendish is driving for Bennett again in France after a three-year absence.

>>> Here you can find a detailed preview of the Giro

EGAN BERNAL: Egan Bernal actually still has a score to settle with the tour. Last year, the 2019 winner had to pull out after the 16th stage due to severe back pain. But because the Great Loop this year has more time trial kilometers and fewer mountain finishes than in the recent past, Bernal decided on the Giro d'Italia. The Colombian won this with a solid lead despite minor weaknesses.

Thibaut Pinot is out injured. © AFP / ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT

THIBAUT PINOT: Thibaut Pinot cannot make his dream of a French Tour winner come true this year either. Last year, the French tragic hero had to give up after a fall at the start of the tour; the year before, his thigh slowed him down after strong performances in the high mountains. The 31-year-old is still suffering from a back injury. “It just takes time. My goal is to race again towards the end of the season. That would be like a victory for me,” said Pinot.

REMCO EVENEPOEL: In his native Belgium, the youngster is already considered the new Eddy Merckx. His achievements are actually impressive. At the age of 19, he won the difficult Clasica San Sebastian and came second in the time trial at the World Championships. In 2020 he took part in four tours and took overall victory in the end before he was slowed down for months by a serious crash on the Tour of Lombardy. After breaking his pelvis, Evenepoel only returned to racing at the Giro d'Italia, where he dropped out early. The Tour de France could be an issue in 2022.

LENNARD KÄMNA: Last year, the highly talented North German secured the first German victory on a Tour mountain stage and raised great hopes. Things continued to go well for the 24-year-old this season too, with victory on the Tour of Catalonia. But then came the break. Bora Hansgrohe team boss Ralph Denk said he was over-motivated, over-exercised and continued training despite illness. “He wasn’t honest with himself. He didn't tell us the truth either. He only brings us something when he is in top shape.” Kämna is currently taking a break, but in contrast to 2018, the reasons are “purely physical,” as Denk emphasized. Kämna is scheduled to attack again in the fall.

MAXIMILIAN CHESSMAN: The German champion is actually an asset in every race. In the spring, Schachmann won the traditional Paris-Nice tour, as he did the previous year, and also impressed at the Tour de Suisse before his DM title. The next goal for the Berlin native is the Olympic road cycling race, in which he is one of the medal candidates. And even after that, the all-purpose weapon Schachmann has to go again. “I need Max for the fall too. “He is an important cornerstone for us,” says Denk.

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Back, knees and the Olympics: These stars are foregoing the tour

Egan Bernal preferred to ride the Giro, French hope Thibaut Pinot is injured again. But other stars are also not taking part in the tour for various reasons.

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