Team USA’s World Championships campaign suffered a blow this week as BMC Racing’s Jeff Louder has diagnosed with the H1N1 swine ‘flu virus.
“I haven’t been feeling well and saw Dr. Testa Monday,” said Louder in a press release. “Based on my condition and symptoms he diagnosed H1N1 and advised against training, racing and travelling.
“This pretty much puts an end to my season,” he continued. “I am not on my death bed but am definitely not in a way that would do the race, myself or the team any good. I’m pretty bummed. All I can do is recover and rest for next season I guess.”
Louder’s withdrawal reduces the US team for Sunday’s World Championship road race to eight riders. USA Cycling has yet to announce whether a replacement will be brought in; Tom Zirbel is currently riding the time trial only so adding him to the road race team is a possibility.
Remaining US elite men’s team:
Tom Danielson (Garmin-Slipstream)
Tyler Farrar (Garmin-Slipstream)
Brent Bookwalter (BMC Racing Team)
Craig Lewis (Columbia-HTC)
Andrew Bajadali (Kelly Benefit Strategies)
Jason McCartney (Team Saxo Bank)
Tim Duggan (Garmin-Slipstream)
Tom Peterson (Garmnin-Slipstream)