MILAN (AP) — Tour de France champion Chris Froome has withdrawn from Sunday’s Il Lombardia race because of back pain.
Team Sky says the injury affected Froome during last weekend’s world championship race, which the British rider had to abandon midway.
Froome says, “It hasn’t settled down as I’d hoped.”
Team Sky Doctor Alan Farrell says a scan this week revealed “an inflamed sacroiliac joint.”
The withdrawal could cost Froome the lead in the UCI World Tour standings. He is 80 points ahead of defending Lombardia champion Joaquin Rodriguez. A win is worth 100 points.
