No serious concerns for BikeNZ's road cycling stars

There are no major concerns from BikeNZ for next month’s world championships after star riders Hayden Roulston and Julian Dean both abandoned the Vuelta a Espana today with a week remaining in the final grand tour.

Roulston withdrew 22kms into today’s 13th stage from Rincon de Soto to Burgos while Dean withdrew before the start.

Roulston has re-injured his knee and withdrew to focus on being fully fit for next month’s world championships in Melbourne and the Commonwealth Games.

Dean has battled through the first two weeks of the Tour after a heavy crash warming up for the opening prologue. He said that he battled on in the Tour because it was a vital part of his preparations for the world championships in Melbourne.

The Garmin Transitions rider had shown that he was finding some form in recent days but the sprinter had not intended to complete the final week of the Tour of Spain which is headed for the high mountains.

Roulston, who has returned to his base in Spain for some rest and treatment, said he is confident he will be fine for both the worlds and for Delhi.

“The knee was sore and swollen. It just needs proper rest and treatment now to be ready for Melbourne and the games," he said.

He initially injured his knee after a crash while racing for his HTC Colombia team last month which required 18 stitches.

"I'm ok and not worried about it. I've had two weeks of hard racing and I'm flying and really looking forward to other races coming up."

 The pair are included in a six-strong squad for the world championships road team along with fellow pro tour rider Greg Henderson, who celebrated his 34th birthday today as he prepares for the Tour of Britain for his Team Sky combination.