Cervélo TestTeam riders Heinrich Haussler (GER) and Andreas Klier (GER) announced today that they will be forced to skip the legendary spring classics due to health problems. The 26-year-old Haussler shone last year with his second-place finishes in Milano–San Remo and the Ronde van Vlaanderen, but he must now be focused on fully recovering from knee problems that have plagued him since a crash in the Volta ao Algarve and a second crash in Paris-Nice.

“Heinrich has an injury of the quadriceps tendon and is currently receiving intensive medical treatments, mainly physiotherapy,” said Thomas Klimaschka, Cervélo TestTeam doctor. “The focus is on his health. Heinrich needs some more time to recover 100%; therefore, he will not be at the start of the 2010 spring classics.”

“I’m really disappointed that I haven’t been able to fully recover yet and have to skip my favorite spring classics. I love the cobbled races, but my health is the priority,” said Haussler. “The spring classics were supposed to be my first goals in the 2010 cycling season. Now my focus on the sporting side will turn to the 2010 Tour de France, where I would like to be in top shape.”

The 34-year-old classics specialist Klier will have to skip the upcoming spring classics as well, after suffering a concussion in a crash in the E3 Prijs this past Saturday.

“We checked Andreas and treated him after the accident. He will be able to leave our team base Hotel Lepelbed as soon as possible and will go home to rest and recover completely,” said Klimaschka.

After the decision was made, Klier stated: “The spring classics are my favorite races. I have had my best results there, but this year the Ronde van Vlaanderen and Paris-Roubaix will take place without me. I’m certainly a bit disappointed, but my health is the focus and I will now concentrate on my other goals.”

Both riders will return to racing as soon as they have fully recovered and are completely fit for their new objectives this season.