Domenico Pozzovivo had hoped to make use of his excellent Giro d'Italia condition to do a good Tour de Suisse and yesterday he got his race off to a great start when he finished fifth in the opening time trial. Today, however, he hasn't taken the stage of the second stage after he has fallen ill during the night.

A few weeks ago Domenico Pozzovivo took his best ever result in a grand tour when he finished fifth in the Giro d'Italia and like last year he had hoped to end the first part of his season on a high by doing a great Tour de Suisse. Things looked to be on track after yesterday's opening time trial where he defied most expectations by finishing fifth and was the best of the pre-race favourites.

However, there will be no glory for Pozzovivo who has finished in the top 10 in all races he has started so far. Today he didn't take the start of stage 2 after he fell ill during the night.

"The Italian rider suffered yesterday from digestive disorders with fever that prevented him from eating correctly and sleeping. These symptoms were still present this morning. Too weak, he was not able to take the start of this 1st stage," the team writes in a press release.

The withdrawal comes as a big disappointment for the team which had been pleasantly surprised by his great time trial.

“Our riders did a good prologue on a difficult course with a dangerous descent," sports director Stephane Goubert said yesterday. "Domenico (Pozzovivo) was impressive. He dida good start and he showed all his qualities of climber in the ascent before well managing the descent.

"Christophe (Riblon) also did a good time. He was equal to Pozzo for most of the time but he has lacked a bit of strength in the final part and couldn't finish in the top 10. Anyway he is in a good shape.

"Meanwhile, Sébastien (Turgot) has been unlucky. He started very well but unfortunately he was victim of a puncture after only one kilometer and he lost all chances of doing well in this prologue.”

With Pozzovivo out of the race and Carlos Betancur not taking the start, Ag2r will now be in search of stage wins with the in-form Christophe Riblon in the mountains and sprinters Davide Appollonio and Lloyd Mondory in the flat stages.