Olympic gold medallist Jan Ullrich has confirmed facial injuries recieved in this Sunday’s Paris-Tours classic rule him out of tommorrows World Chamionship time trial and Sundays road race.

Ullrich required 6 stitches to a severely cut lip as well asother minor injuries and the enforced rest, scuppers his preparation for the hooped jersey hunt.

With Armstrong declaring his season over, and the defending champion Ullrich now sidelined, tommorrow’s time trial in Plouay, may see a surprise winner, but Ekimov must be favourite after his Olympic win.