Cross-country skier Coletta Rydzek has withdrawn from the Tour de Ski before the last two stages. As the German Ski Association (DSV) announced on Friday morning, the sprint specialist is slightly injured and will therefore not participate in the final competitions in Val di Fiemme on Saturday and Sunday.
“Due to a dry throat, the measure is being taken as a precaution to avoid any health risk,” it said in a statement: “The focus is on preventing a possible illness early and protecting the athlete as best as possible for upcoming tasks.”
Rydzek had shone at the Tour with a second place in the sprint and was third in the overall standings after two stages. In the long pursuit race on New Year’s Day, she had fallen far behind. Previously, Olympic champion Katharina Hennig Dotzler had also withdrawn from the Tour de Ski.