Chris Horner to skip the Volta a Catalunya 2012
Chris Horner of Team RadioShack-Nissan has withdrawn from the Volta a Catalunya after he suffered a minor injury during the Tirreno Adriatico.
The cyclist claimed the second overall spot during the Italian race. He finished 14 second behind the race leader Nibali after a close encounter during the seven-staged event.
The 40-year-old started riding professionally with Team Francaise des Jeux in 1997 and stayed with the team till 1999.
He has also represented Team Mercury (2000-01), Team Prime Alliance (2002), Team Saturn (2003), Team Webcor Builders (2004) and Team Saunier Duval-Prodir (2005).
Horner continued his professional pursuit with Team Davitamon-Lotto (2006-07), Team Astana (2008-09), Team RadioShack (2010-11) and Team RadioShack-Nissan for the 2012 season.
The second place finish at the Tirreno-Adriatico is the only victory for the 40-year-old in the season yet.
The cyclist has mentioned that knee injury is the main reason behind his exit from the Volta a Catalunya.
Cyclingnews quoted him as saying, "I have a little bit of a break period, I have a little problem behind the knee that I'm resting up”.
“It's just a tendon below the hamstring that was sore from Tirreno-Adriatico. I'm waiting for that to heal. That will give me a week's rest that I wasn't planning", he concluded.
Horner struggled last year and had to abandon the season early because of a disastrous crash at the Tour de France 2011.
The American achieved the first overall spot at the Tour of California and also grabbed the fourth stage of the race.
He finished second overall at the Vuelta a Pais Vasco and fourth during the Volta a Catalunya in the past season.
The French Grand Tour was the last race he rode in the past season and has now made a comeback after a long break of eight months from professional cycling.
He cited, "It's a good way to come back. It doesn't leave too many doubts as to whether the blood clot did some permanent damage, that's for certain".
Chris is expected to ride the Spanish World Tour race Tour of Basque country scheduled from April 2-7, 2012. He will then ride the Tour of California to continue his plans for the 2012 season.
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