04 September, 2017, Haro (ESP)
Rohan Dennis and Kilian Frankiny have been forced to withdraw from the Vuelta a España on the second rest day due to illness and injuries respectively.
Dennis has developed an upper respiratory tract infection, BMC Racing Team doctor, Dr. Daniele Zaccaria confirmed.
“Yesterday after a very hard stage we had a long transfer from Sierra Nevada to the north of Spain. Overnight Rohan Dennis developed an upper respiratory tract infection and is not fit to continue racing tomorrow. Taking Rohan’s upcoming goal of the UCI World Championships into consideration, it is in Rohan’s best interests to stop now and recover fully before he goes to Norway,” Dr. Zaccaria said.
Dennis, the Australian time trial champion, is disappointed to withdraw from racing before the stage 16 individual time trial.
“I had a bit of a dry throat during the travel after stage 15 and then I woke up in the middle of the night in a full sweat and with a bad throat and it only got worse by this morning. It’s difficult to pull out now knowing that I’m one of the favorites for the time trial tomorrow. But my priority is getting my health right before the UCI World Championships so I know it’s the right thing to do,” Dennis said.
Frankiny crashed on stage 15 and although he managed to finish the stage, was taken to hospital for observation.
“Following his crash on stage 15, we took Kilian Frankiny to hospital for X-rays this morning to determine the nature of his injuries. X-rays revealed two subtrochanteric fractures on the neck of the femur. Kilian will return to Switzerland tonight and undergo further evaluation to determine whether surgery will be necessary. The nature of Kilian’s injuries at this point late in the season means he will not be able to race again this year and will now focus on his recovery in the off season,” Dr. Zaccaria explained.
In his debut Grand Tour participation, Frankiny is disappointed not to make it to the finish line in Madrid.
“There was a small downhill and right turn after about 60km of racing and on the right turn my front wheel slipped out. Despite the pain I managed to chase back to the grupetto and make it to the finish line. Sitting and lying down is okay but walking is basically impossible right now. It’s really disappointing to have to stop racing here and for the rest of the season. I was really looking forward to finishing my first Grand Tour in Madrid but now I will allow my fractures to recover and get back on the bike as soon as I can to start my off season,” Frankiny said.
BMC Racing Team kindly asks media to respect the recovery time for Dennis and Frankiny and refrain from contacting the riders at this time.
