Thomas Voeckler might miss the Tour de France 2012
Thomas Voeckler had to abandon the Route du Sud after an inflammation to his right knee.
The cyclist earlier withdrew from the Criterium du Dauphine because of the same reason and the injury has created doubts towards his participation at the Tour de France.
The Frenchman grabbed the fourth overall position during the most recent edition of the race, finishing 3 minute and 20 seconds behind the race leader.
Cadel Evans of Team BMC Racing Team grabs the first overall spot after the final general classifications.
Andy Schleck fell 1 minute and 34 seconds short and grabbed the second position with Frank Schleck, Thomas Voeckler and Samuel Sanchez achieving the next three positions.
Thomas was a definite favourite and the crowd’s favourite in the previous edition of the race especially.
He held the yellow for ten consecutive stages last year, from stage 10-19 and was a pre-race favourite for the 2012 editions of the French Grand Tour.
“I wasn’t able to pedal anymore,” Thomas told L'Equipe.
“These aren’t the best moments of my career but there’s nothing to do, the pain is too much. I have to admit that I’m waiting to see what happens a bit”.
I’ve just spoken with the team doctor and we’re going to see what decisions are to be taken over the course of the next week”.
Voeckler also briefed that his knee can really cause complications towards his inclusion at the Tour de France 2012.
“I prefer to wait before taking a decision. If I have the fortune to be at the start, I’m afraid that it mightn’t be a Tour like the others”.
The 32-year-old opened his 2012 winning account with a first place finish at the Brabantse Pijl along with a stage 3 win at the La Tropicale Amissa Bongo.
He finished fourth during the Liege-Bastogne-Liege, fifth at the Amstel Gold Race, eighth at the Tour of Flanders and claimed the fifth overall position during the Four Days of Dunkirk 2012.
Thomas marked his professional debut with Team Bonjour in 2001 and stayed with the team by the end of 2002 season.
He also represented Team Brioches La Boulangere (2003-04), Team Bouygues Telecom (2005-2008), Team Bbox Bouygues Telecom (2009-10) and accepted an offer from Team Europcar in 2011 season.
Voeckler helped the team with several victories in the past season and it will be interesting to see if the cyclist represents the team at the Tour de France 2012.
Tags: