Nicolas Roche won a stage in the Vuelta in 2013 and also led the race, above, but he will not be on the start list when the event starts later this month.
It was to be his last Grand Tour with Team Sky and a race where he had hoped to get the chance to ride for his own results, but Nicolas Roche has been forced out of the Vuelta a Espana.
Team Sky issued a statement this evening saying Roche had been forced to withdraw trough illness.
It is a major blow for the Irishman who won a stage on the Vuelta and led the race overall when riding for Tinkoff before his move to Team Sky two years ago.
And it was to be his last major event with the British WorldTour team before his move to BMC Racing Team for next year.
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The Team Sky statement in full reads:
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Team Sky's Nicolas Roche is to miss this year's Vuelta a Espana after being forced to withdraw through illness.
Roche, who has been on Olympic duty with Ireland, has developed a severe bacterial pneumonia which he contracted during his time in Rio. After speaking with Team Sky medical staff he will now miss the Vuelta in order to focus on his recovery.
Roche said: "Obviously it's a big disappointment. The Vuelta is a race I really enjoy and one where I have had success before.
"Riding the Vuelta was a big target for me this year and I was looking forward to being part of the team.
"The illness couldn't have come at a worse time, really, and after speaking to the medical staff it's pretty clear that I'm not going to be ready in time.
"I'll be focusing on my recovery and looking to get back racing as soon as I can".
Team Sky's squad for this year's Vuelta a Espana, which starts with a team time trial on August 20th, will be announced next week.
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