Carlos Betancur (Ag2r-La Mondiale) was one of four riders to abandon on stage two – Lieuwe Westra (Astana), Tom Danielson (Garmin-Sharp) and Georg Preidler (Giant-Shimano) the others. It was the plight of the Colombian which will cause most concern going forward however, as he battles to overcome a knee injury in time for the Ardennes Classics. It is now two races in his row he has pulled out of – the Volta a Cayalunya the other – since winning Paris-Nice.
His form on the undulating courses in France showed he is capable of being a major contender in the hilly Classics but we are just 11 days away from the Amstel Gold Race and Betancur has completed just four competitive days of racing since Paris-Nice ended some three weeks ago. The Colombian is still more than capable, but he will be desperate to recover his fitness and form sooner rather than later.
