Hermann Maier declines to repeat his 2003 Tour de France appearance

Hermann Maier declines to repeat his 2003 Tour de France appearanceFour-time overall alpine World Cup ski champion Hermann Maier will not repeat as the opening cyclist in the Tour de France, withdrawing due to a recent cold and lack of training.

The Austrian, who bicycles as part of his off-season training regimen, began last year’s race. Brad McGee of Australia won the opening 6.5-kilometre time trial stage and Maier was only one minute 19 seconds behind.

“It was a dream come true for me last year, but after I set a reasonable time, I wanted to be even faster this season,” Maier told the Austria Press Agency on Tuesday. “I have recently caught a cold and therefore, it is wiser to miss out this time.”

Maier won his fourth alpine World Cup title this year after nearly having his right leg amputated following a motorcycle crash in August 2001.

The Austrian Press Agency did indicate, however, that Maier’s teammate Stephan Eberharter may try his hand at the Tour. The Tirolean downhiller says he’s waiting to make a decision about the bike race, as well as his retirement from ski racing.

–from the Associated Press and other wire reports