Tom Veelers (Giant-Alpecin) has suffered a setback in the recovery from a knee injury sustained in the beginning of the year, and as a result he will unfortunately not line up for the start of the Tour de France on July 4 in Utrecht, nor did he participate in Rund um Köln or will start the Ster ZLM Toer. 

After already canceling his participation in the Tour de Romandie and Giro d’Italia, the team has determined that the Tour de France is also too early for the 30-year-old Veelers, as he needs additional time to recover from the knee injury. To resolve the problem, he underwent keyhole surgery at OCON in Hengelo, the Netherlands, in April. In consultation with the performance staff, the team’s physician and Veelers himself, the team decided that more recovery and training time are needed before he returns to competition. Veelers will also not participate in Sunday's Rund um Köln, and will not be replaced.

“Obviously I am very disappointed to be unable to start in the Tour de France, since I was really looking forward to this year’s start in my home country,” said Veelers. “After my surgery in April we know that the risk of not participating in the Tour was there, but all the time we focused on the best possible outcome: quick recovery. We have canceled my participation in a couple of races already, and it has become clear that the Tour is not within reach either. So together with the team’s medical staff, we decided it was best for me to get off the bike and rest and recover. I will continue to work with the physio but not compete in races for a while.”

Team physician Anko Boelens added: “Tom is recovering from keyhole surgery to repair a small cartilage imperfection. When he is free of pain the team will determine the best opportunity for him to return to competition.”

Both Veelers and the team are disappointed that he will not be able to be present at the Tour as a valuable member of the sprint preparation. Veelers will work closely with the team’s medical and performance staff to ensure a gradual buildup in the intensity of his training. 

The Tour de France lineup will be announced later this month.