Tom-Jelte Slagter will not start in the Tour de France this summer. In an interview with RTV Noord he explained that his team director Jonathon Vaughters told him that he will not get a place in the squad of Cannondale-Garmin for ‘ le Grand Boucle’.

Instead, the 25-year old Dutchman will be riding the Giro. Slagter admitted that he is disappointed but also sees the positive sight of his non-selection.

“On one hand, I am disappointed because of the Tour starting in Utrecht. However I do see the benefits of riding the Giro instead. Some good results in the spring classics and the Giro will give me a good position to negotiate my new contract, which expires at the end of the year. However I do prefer to stay at Cannondale-Garmin.”

Like Slager said, the spring classics and the Giro will be his main objectives in the first half of the season. In order to prepare for these races, he announced the following schedule. Strade Bianche, Tirreno-Adriatico, Milaan San Remo, Amstel Gold Race, Waalse Pijl, Liege-Bastogne-Liege, Giro.

The reason for Slagter’s late start is an infection in his knee. But the Dutch rider made sure that these problems are solved now and won’t affect his form this spring.