Garmin-Sharp's Ryder Hesjedal will skip this years Tour De France in order to attain a high general classification standing at the Vuelta a España. The former Giro d'Italia winner came ninth overall in this year's event, and is currently supporting team-mate Andrew Talansky in the Critérium du Dauphiné. The American team's leading man will be Talansky himself, giving Hesjedal a much needed break. His presence will be needed once more in the Tour of Poland, as he regains fitness in the build-up to the Vuelta. 

Chris Froome is staying focused on the Dauphiné, despite the ongoing drama surrounding him and team-mate Bradley Wiggins. Froome is currently leading the French race after 3 stages, and is managing to keep a cool head with the tension rising between himself and Wiggins. Team Sky's principal Dave Brailsford has admitted that Froome is in pole position to lead the team in the biggest cycle race of all, but claims Wiggins is not out of contention as of yet. Brailsford will pick his nine man team after the Dauphiné - the traditional Tour De France warm up.

Both Nick Nuyens and Robert Gesink are set to miss the Tour De France due to minor heart problems. Nuyens (Garmin-Sharp) had surgery in Brussels today, and is set to return to full training by next week. Belgian newspaper Nieuwsblad.be has announced that local boy Nuyens' condition is considered a minor one, and if left untreated it would not affect his career. Gesink on the other hand underwent surgery in early May. His team, Belkin, said: "The race comes too soon for him, he needs time to recover". The Dutchman will return to competitive cycling next week in the domestic Ster ZLM Toer followed by the Dutch National Championships. He will gradualy be competing in the more recognized races such as the Tour of Poland and the Vuelta. “I will also be aware not to start catching up with everything too fast so I would start the Tour already exhausted. If that is the case, the Vuelta might be a better option," he said after his heart surgery. These two riders are joining a growing list of riders developing heart issues. We wish them a speedy recovery.

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