Thor Hushovd walks off the Tour de France 2012
Thor Hushovd of Team BMC is suffering from bad health conditions, which is the main reason behind his dipping performance in the current season.
The two-time winner of the green jersey at the French Grand Tour has now announced his exit from the Tour de France 2012.
The 34-year-old had a terrific past season and helped his team with several victories including three stages at the Tour de France 2011.
He succeeded during the second, the thirteenth and the sixteenth stages of the race and also held the yellow jersey for eight consecutive stages, through stages 2-9.
Thor also bagged stages at the Tour de Suisse and the Tour of Britain to wrap up a perfect 2011 season.
The Norwegian started his professional pursuit with Team Credit Agricole in 2000 and spent a period of eight years with the side.
He also represented team Cervelo Test Team (2009-10), Team Garmin-Cervelo (2011) and penned a deal with Team BMC for the 2012 seasons.
Things have changed dramatically in the 2012 season, as Hushovd’s health is restricting him to perform to his calibre.
He tried his luck at the Giro d’Italia but had to abandon the race before even reaching the half way mark.
Thor noted, "We did perform some tests at the Mapei Sport Center after the Giro and found that he had signs of a viral infection from earlier in the year".
He was recently seen in action at the Tour de Pologne which finished last month and has now decided to reserve his energies for the 2012 Olympic Games.
"I needed more time to recover and it's always been a goal of mine to do well at the Olympics," Hushovd noted.
"I also hope to be a part of the BMC Racing Team's team time trial squad at the world championships and to compete in the road race as well”.
“So there are still a lot of goals left to prove to myself this year."
Cadel Evans will lead the team at the Tour de France and the reigning Tour champion is optimistic to secure his second consecutive victory at the French race.
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