MILAN (AP) Tour de France champion Chris Froome has withdrawn from Sunday's Il Lombardia race due to back pain.
Team Sky says the issue also affected Froome during last weekend's world championship race, which the British rider had to abandon midway through.
Froome says, "It hasn't settled down as I'd hoped."
Team Sky Doctor Alan Farrell adds, "A scan this week revealed that Chris is suffering from an inflamed sacroiliac joint. We are monitoring him as a team but unfortunately the injury means he will not be able to take part in the race this weekend."
The withdrawal could cost Froome the lead in the UCI WorldTour standings. He is 80 points ahead of defending Lombardia champion Joaquin Rodriguez, with victory in the race worth 100 points.