No Bettini, Russ for Suisse

World Champion Paolo Bettini has changed his plans and will not be riding the Tour de Suisse, Team QuickStep has announced. After speaking with team doctors, he has decided to take a break and let his injuries from a crash in the Giro d'Italia heal.

"I am sorry not to be at the Swiss race," he said, according to Radsportnews.net. "But honestly, I had to take a break now in order not to endanger the rest of my season. I couldn't fully train the last few days, but I will do everything necessary to be in the Italian Championship race and to honour the jersey."

Bettini is defending national champion.

Team Gerolsteiner will start at the Tour de Suisse with only seven riders. A team spokesman told Cyclingnews Friday afternoon that Matthias Russ will not be able to ride because of a prostate infection.