Fabio Aru out of Qhubeka-Assos' Tour de France squad
Barbero replaces Italian after 'physical problems' over the weekend
Fabio Aru has been replaced on Qhubeka Assos' team for the 2021 Tour de France after suffering from unspecified physical problems in the Italian national championships over the weekend. Carlos Barbero has been given the call-up to replace the 2015 Vuelta a España winner.
"I know what it takes to compete at the Tour and I felt that, with the physical problems that I had over the weekend, my body is just not where it needs to be for me to be at my very best for the Grand Depart," Aru said in a team press release.
"After discussing the situation with the team I decided that it in was our best interests to withdraw from the selection."
Aru was diagnosed with a constriction of the iliac artery in his left leg and underwent surgery to treat the condition in 2019. He had his best Grand Tour performance in several years that season, finishing 14th in the Tour de France but has since failed to finish a Grand Tour.
Aru dropped out of the Italian championships on Sunday which were won by Bahrain Victorious' Sonny Colbrelli.
It will be Barbero's Tour de France debut after the 30-year-old competed in the Vuelta a España twice.
Sean Bennett, Victor Campenaerts, Simon Clarke, Michael Gogl, Nicholas Dlamini, Sergio Henao and Max Walscheid complete the team's line-up.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
"I am very excited to start my first-ever Tour de France. It was not on my initial plan for the season but in cycling, as in life, there can be changes and you have to be prepared for when those happy," Barbero said.
"I am incredibly happy and will look to continue the way in which the team have raced this year as we look to be as successful as possible."
Qhubeka Assos for the Tour de France: Carlos Barbero, Sean Bennett, Victor Campenaerts, Simon Clarke, Michael Gogl, Nicholas Dlamini, Sergio Henao and Max Walscheid.
Amazon Prime Day cycling deals
Quick Deals USA
- Save up to 37% on exercise bikes
- Camelbak Podium water bottles: Up to 57% off
- Giro Empire SLX shoes at 60% off:
$349.99$139.96 - 30% off the Garmin Edge 130 Plus:
$199.99$139.99 - Strider 12 Sport balance bike at 10% off:
$119.99$107.99 - 26% off Vigbody exercise spin bike:
$379.99$279.99 - Garmin Varia RVR315 Radar with 30% off:
$149.99$104.99
Quick Deals UK
- Up to 64% off Gore cycling and running clothing
- NordicTrack S10i live-stream exercise bike:
£1,699.00£999.00 - Gore Wear C5 bib shorts at 50% off:
£99.99£49.52 - 5L Muc-Off Nano-Tech bike cleaner at 60% off:
£34.37£13.83 - Huge deals on SealSkinz winter wear
- Keep your bike safe with 45% off Blink Outdoor cameras:
£99.99£54.99 - Bluetooth & ANT+ Heart Rate Monitor for 50% off:
£39.99£19.99 - Garmin Edge Explore at 32% off:
£219.99£149.00
Thank you for reading 5 articles in the past 30 days*
Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read any 5 articles for free in each 30-day period, this automatically resets
After your trial you will be billed £4.99 $7.99 €5.99 per month, cancel anytime. Or sign up for one year for just £49 $79 €59
Join now for unlimited access
Try your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Cyclingnews is the world's leader in English-language coverage of professional cycling. Started in 1995 by University of Newcastle professor Bill Mitchell, the site was one of the first to provide breaking news and results over the internet in English. The site was purchased by Knapp Communications in 1999, and owner Gerard Knapp built it into the definitive voice of pro cycling. Since then, major publishing house Future PLC has owned the site and expanded it to include top features, news, results, photos and tech reporting. The site continues to be the most comprehensive and authoritative English voice in professional cycling.