Published August 14, 2013 08:15AM
Dowsett remains on track for worlds despite crash at Eneco Tour
The British rider dislocates both thumbs in a fall on Tuesday but is still expected to contend for the world TT title
Alex Dowsett celebrates after winning his third straight national time trial title in June. Photo: Graham Watson | <a id="www.grahamwatson.com" href="http://grahamwatson.com">www.grahamwatson.com</a>
A nasty crash this week at the Eneco Tour should not keep Alex Dowsett (Movistar) out of the world championships next month.
Movistar officials confirmed to VeloNews on Wednesday that Dowsett, who dislocated both thumbs in a painful fall in the second stage at the Eneco Tour, should still be able to continue his racing schedule building up to the world championship time trial on September 25.
His schedule includes Poitou-Charentes, GP Plouay, the Tour of Britain, and the world team time trial event on September 22 with Movistar.
Doctors on Tuesday confirmed there were no fractures, so the three-time defending British time trial champion should be able to stick to that schedule.
Dowsett and 2012 Olympic time trial champion Sir Bradley Wiggins are expected to be the two UK starters for the elite men’s race in Italy.
Dowsett’s presence helps avoid any clash between Tour de France champion Chris Froome and Wiggins, who have had some bumpy moments over the past few seasons.
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Froome, who typically would be able to challenge for the podium in any time trial, is steering clear of the race against the clock and will instead focus on the road race.
The flat course favors Wiggins and Dowsett over Froome, who typically does better on courses with more climbs.
The 24-year-old Dowsett, who won a time trial at the Giro d’Italia in May ahead of Wiggins, will be a medal threat in the pancake flat, 57.9-kilometer course from Montecatini Terme to Florence.
Wiggins, who won the time trial at the Tour of Poland earlier this month, is eyeing the time trial stage at the Eneco Tour this week.
Speaking to journalists over the weekend, Wiggins said he’s packing on the weight, up to 15 pounds more than his Tour-winning weight from last summer, to be stronger on the power TT course in Florence at the expense of his climbing ability.
Froome, meanwhile, will return to racing next week at the USA Cycling Challenge. Last week, he inspected the road race course in Tuscany and came away satisfied.