The loss of a family member has led me to withdraw from the 100th Milan-Sanremo race this coming Saturday. While the race continues to hold a special place in my heart, I must be realistic. In any case, my level of fitness would not have been sufficient to enable me to defend my victory of last year.

Although I have fully recovered from my fall during training at the end of February, two and a half weeks without training is bound to have an effect.

I managed to put in some training during the Tirreno-Adriatico and tried to support the team as best I could.

At the start I was still suffering from flu and felt increasingly fatigued at every stage.

Finally, in the hardest stage on Monday, I gave up after around five hours.

I have also changed my future racing plans and will compete in the Settimana Internazionale Coppi e Bartoli instead of appearing in Belgium.

I need more stability and I can only get that through continuous work in races.

I am looking forward and hope to make progress soon. Yours, Fabian.