Cycling: Kiwi pair feel pain in Spain

Hayden Roulston. Photo / Kenny Rodger

New Zealanders Julian Dean and Hayden Roulston both abandoned the Tour of Spain yesterday to concentrate of recovering from injuries ahead of next month's world championships and Commonwealth Games.

BikeNZ said there were no concerns over the availability of both for the world championships in Melbourne.

Roulston, battling a knee injury, pulled out of yesterday's 196km 13th stage from Rincn de Soto to Burgos, while Dean did not start the stage.

Dean has battled through the first two weeks of the tour after injuring his knee in a heavy crash while warming up for the first stage.

He said he battled on in the tour because it was a vital part of his preparations for the world championships.

The sprinter had shown some form in recent days but had not intended to complete the final week of the tour.

Roulston said his knee, injured badly last month, had become sore and swollen, and thought it prudent to pull out to focus on the world championships in Melbourne on October 3, and the Delhi road race a week later.

"It [knee] just needs proper rest and treatment now to be ready for Melbourne and the Games," he said.

Roulston required 18 stitches for a 10cm gash in his knee after a fall racing in Italy in August, but proved to his Columbia HTC team he was capable of competing in the gruelling 21-day tour from Seville to Madrid and was part of the team's stage one victory.

He plans to stay on in Spain for treatment and recovery before returning to New Zealand towards the end of the month.

Roulston and Dean are in a six-strong squad for the world championships road team, along with fellow pro tour rider Greg Henderson.

- NZPA