Andy Schleck has been forced to postpone his return to racing yet again, with the Radioshack-Nissan-Trek rider still suffering from pain as a result of his crash at the Critérium du Dauphiné in June.

Schleck was originally due to return to the peloton last month for the USA Pro Cycling Challenge but withdrew and the 2010 Tour de France champion will also now miss Sunday’s GP Fourmies.

“The shooting pain when I go on longer rides still cannot not be denied,” said Schleck. “It starts from the hip and it moves down to the leg. It makes no sense to appear at races where I might not be able to even reach the finish line.”

Schleck has endured a 2012 to forget. The 27-year-old struggled for form early in the season and arrived at the Critérium du Dauphiné looking to race himself into condition ahead of the Tour de France.

But Schleck lost significant time early in the race and then fractured his sacrum, the large bone at the base of the spine, after crashing during the stage four individual time trial. Schleck initially thought he would be fit for the Tour but a scan revealed the extent of the injury and the Luxembourg rider is yet to turn a pedal in competitive action.

“I’m very disappointed that I couldn’t show anything so far this year,” added Schleck, who said he doesn’t want to sacrifice his 2013 season by returning from injury too early. “This has been a dreadful season for me and I desperately want to put it behind me. I still hope to return to racing before the season ends.”