The experienced New Zealand road cyclist Hayden Roulston has been forced out of next month's Glasgow Commonwealth Games because of injury.
Roulston retired from last week's Criterium du Dauphine after suffering from a sore right foot and then developed an Achilles injury in left foot as a result of over-compensation.
The 33-year-old says while he's hopeful of recovering from the injury in the next few weeks, his lack of competitive racing would leave him ill-equipped to be fully competitive in Glasgow.
Roulston says he'll return to Christchurch for the birth of his second child.
BikeNZ High Performance Director Mark Elliott says he's disappointed for Roulston, who he believes would have been a prime contender with the course in Glasgow suiting his attributes.
Elliott says Roulston had shared some thoughts on potential replacements and BikeNZ will make a decision in the coming weeks, with a number of the riders all competing in Europe.
