# Andreas Kron Opts Out of Tour de France, Sets Sights on La Vuelta
Lotto Dstny rider Andreas Kron has decided not to participate in the upcoming Tour de France, citing a lack of preparation as the primary reason. “I felt that I wasn’t ready for the Tour,” he stated, adding, “I am targeting a stage win at La Vuelta.”
Kron had a strong start to the season, including a fourth-place finish at the Amstel Gold Race, making his absence from the Tour all the more surprising. “But I had to change my plans,” he explained. “I don’t feel ready to participate and together with the team, it was decided to focus on other goals. Don’t get me wrong, I really enjoyed my participation last year, especially with the start in my home country. It was fantastic, but I am a sportsman and I don’t want to just ride, I want to get results.”
The decision comes after a challenging spring campaign, which culminated in a crash during Liège-Bastogne-Liège. Reflecting on that incident, Kron noted, “After that crash and the busy and tough spring campaign, I needed more time off the bike than anticipated. I had to reset both physically and mentally. That hindered me from having the best preparation for the Tour.”
Following his crash, Kron took two weeks off the bike, followed by an additional two weeks to return to a normal training routine. “So I didn’t get the best amount of training but I was still hopeful for the Tour,” he recounted. “The Tour de Suisse made it clear. I wasn’t ready to start; my shape just wasn’t good enough.”
Despite the disappointment, Kron emphasized the support from his team as crucial during this time. “There wasn’t any pressure from the team, and they give me all the time to get back to my best level. I really have to thank Lotto Dstny for their support.”
In lieu of the Tour, Kron is shifting his focus to La Vuelta, stating, “To be honest, it wasn’t a difficult decision not to participate. You don’t ride the Tour just for the sake of riding; you are riding the Tour amongst the best riders in the world. You want to be on top level and get results. I’m not able to do that at this moment.”
Kron expressed his well wishes for his teammates participating in the Tour, mentioning that he will join them for an altitude training camp in Livigno to prepare for his own goals. “We are going to work hard, have fun, and prepare for new goals. I hope to win in a stage in La Vuelta,” he concluded.
