No Bayern for Kohl

The Bayern Rundfahrt and Bernhard Kohl are apparently not good friends. Last year the Austrian rider crashed in the second stage, injuring his knee enough to force him out of the race. This year, the Gerolsteiner rider won't even be at the start, as was planned.

He has picked up the intestinal virus which is making the rounds and is staying in bed at home. "I had very much been looking forward to this race. I was ready for the everyday racing routine, to break up the lonely everyday training routine," he wrote on his website, bernhardkohl.at.

"On the other hand, I'm happy that his misery didn't strike me just days before the Tour. Until then there is still time and I think that the uneasiness in my digestive tract won't seriously affect my preparations," he concluded optimistically.