Cervelo TestTeam's Heinrich Haussler and Andreas Klier will not be taking part in the 2010 Tour of Flanders and 2010 Paris-Roubaix.

Earlier today Cervelo TestTeam announced that its classics riders Heinrich Haussler (GER) and Andreas Klier (GER) are forced to skip the legendary spring classics Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix due to injuries and health issues.

26-year-old Haussler sparkled last year with his second-place finishes in Milan-San Remo and the Ronde van Vlaanderen, but he is now forced to focus fully on recovering from the knee problems that have plagued him since a crash in the Volta ao Algarve and a second crash and fall on the same knee in Paris-Nice.

"Heinrich has an injury of the quadriceps tendon and is currently receiving intensive medical treatments, mainly physiotherapy," Cervelo TestTeam doctor Thomas Klimaschka commented. "The focus is on his health. Heinrich needs some more time to recover 100%; therefore, he will not be at the start of the 2010 spring classics."

"I'm really disappointed that I haven't been able to fully recover yet and have to skip my favorite spring classics. I love the cobbled races, but my health is the priority," Haussler stated. "The spring classics were supposed to be my first goals in the 2010 cycling season. Now my focus on the sporting side will turn to the 2010 Tour de France, where I would like to be in top shape."

Heinrich Haussler (Cervelo TestTeam). Photo copyright Fotoreporter Sirotti.

 

The 34-year-old classics specialist Andreas Klier will have to skip the upcoming spring classics too, after suffering a concussion in a crash in the E3 Prijs on Saturday.

"We checked Andreas and treated him after the accident. He will be able to leave our team base Hotel Lepelbed as soon as possible and will go home to rest and recover completely," doctor Klimaschka added.

Commenting on doctor Klimaschka's decision Klier said "The spring classics are my favorite races. I have had my best results there, but this year the Ronde van Vlaanderen and Paris-Roubaix will take place without me. I'm certainly a bit disappointed, but my health is the focus and I will now concentrate on my other goals."