Michal Kwiatkowski has announced that he will not be racing the Tour de France, it will be the first time since his debut in 2013. INEOS Grenadiers' team takes further shape, although it remains unannounced surely due to the last-minute doubts on some injuries and Covid-19 cases.
As a very versatile and experienced rider, Kwiatkowski has for many years been a key domestique in the British team and was looking set to have the same role at this year's edition. However, he contracted an injury in a semitendinosus muscle at the Critérium du Dauphiné, and the subsequent recovery meant he would not be able to start the Tour in his best level - in what is a highly competitive level lineup.
With most of the teams having their lineup announced, INEOS Grenadiers remain in silence. Geraint Thomas, Daniel Martínez, Filippo Ganna and Luke Rowe are given as riders who are certain to be at the start. Adam Yates suffered from Covid-19 at the Tour de Suisse but is expected to be at the start. Tom Pidcock suffered the same outcome and is in doubt.
Three spots remain very uncertain, although Jonathan Castroviejo could very well be rider number six. Two spots remain, with Pidcock being an uncertainty. The likes of Carlos Rodríguez - who just finished second at La Route d'Occitanie and became Spanish national champion -, Omar Fraile, Tao Geoghegan Hart, Ethan Hayter and Dylan van Baarle are all riders who could be filling these two spots.
There’s only one way of riding @LeTour. All in & all out. Unfortunately, it’s out of my reach this year due to a tear in semitendinosus muscle. I need few weeks of rehab and training to recover. It’ll be really difficult to cheer @INEOSGrenadiers from couch, but I’ll do my best🤞
