Illness will prevent Rohan Dennis from lining up at Paris-Nice this Sunday, BMC Racing Team announced today.
BMC Racing Team Doctor, Dr. Daniele Zaccaria confirmed that Dennis has been diagnosed with sinusitis.
“Rohan is suffering from sinusitis, and although it is nothing too serious he will not be fit to race at Paris-Nice. His condition worsened this morning and given we are only two days out from the opening prologue, there is not enough time for him to fully recover, especially considering we are expecting cold weather and rain in Paris,” Dr. Zaccaria said.
“With antibiotics and some solid rest he should be back on the bike within the next five days and we don’t expect this illness to affect his racing program beyond Paris-Nice.”
Dennis, who was targeting the 6km prologue on Sunday, is understandably disappointed with the outcome.
“I really wanted to win the time trial on Sunday so it is disappointing to not be lining up. I’ve felt the illness lingering a bit in the past few days but today it has really hit me and we don’t have enough days ahead of Sunday for a proper recovery. At the end of the day my health is the priority and I’m focused on recovering well and lining up at my next race,” Dennis said.
BMC Racing Team Sports Director Fabio Baldato confirmed that Peter Velits, who is coming in off the back of the Santos Tour Down Under and recent races in France, will replace Dennis for Paris-Nice.
“Although the prologue was one of our goals with Rohan, we are bringing a strong team and will still go into the race ambitious and looking for good results,” Baldato confirmed.
Paris-Nice (6-13 March)
Rider Roster: Marcus Burghardt (GER), Philippe Gilbert (BEL), Ben Hermans (BEL), Ama?l Moinard (FRA), Richie Porte (AUS), Michael Sch?r (SUI), Peter Velits (SVK), Danilo Wyss (SUI).
Sports Director: Fabio Baldato (ITA)
