Pointless to carry on in the race

“During the Saturday´s stage I was feeling really bad. Knowing what was to come the team and I came to the conclusion that it was pointless for me to carry on in the race,” said Roman who was travelling home from Spain this morning. “I started the Vuelta race not fully in shape and when you´re hurting every day you can´t expect to get better. We knew that this situation could occur. I stayed in the race just to support Nico Roche. He himself wanted me to be there for him so that he felt more relaxed even if it was just for an half of a stage. But he also knew how wasted and exhausted I felt. He noticed how demotivating it was for me to finish the stages in the grupetto. After I talked to him he said he understood that. The team management has the same perspective.” Clearly, Roman has been feeling lately out of sorts. “…but I have a clear conscience since I was quite helpful to the team, at least in the beginning. From now on, I will keep my fingers crossed for my teammates and I will stay in touch with them. I texted with Nico this morning when I was going to the airport,” admitted Roman. After Roman´s abandonment both of the Saxo-Tinkoff leaders went through a small crisis. “Nico lost some time but he is still sixth overall and his initial plan to make top 5 still seems realistic, unless something unexpected crops up. Rafa underestimated the weather but it is never easy to adapt to the sudden change in the temperature. Even so, I think Rafa is doing really well and he could grab a stage victory.” Roman is going to take a few days off to recover from the cold and fatigue. “I will be off the bike until Friday and then I will see how I feel. With the team I will then discuss the possibility of riding the Worlds. I will be clear on that decision within a couple of days.