Yesterday Tom Boonen (Omega Pharma-Quick Step) announced his decision not to ride this year’s Tour de France. Shortly after, the French Grand Tour was hit by another forfeit as current Giro d’Italia leader Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) said he will forego the Tour this year to focus on the Vuelta a España and the world championships instead. The latter will be held in Florence, Italy, this year.

“If I were to include the Tour de France in my race itinerary this year, it would simply be too much, and I want to be in peak condition for the worlds” Nibali explained to Gazzetta dello Sport. Nibali received heartfelt support by his Astana team manager, Giuseppe Martinelli, who declared. “The world championships offer a great opportunity, which we cannot ignore. In addition, Vincenzo is also going to be in top form for the Vuelta and for that race he will be able to rely upon an even stronger team than the one which supports him here at the Giro.”

The Vuelta a España boasts half a dozen summit finishes this year and the parcours for the world road championships is hilly and undulating. Both races appear tailor-made for Nibali.