Kramer withdraws from World Cup in Poland due to back problems
Sven Kramer is not going to the second ISU World Cup of the season. A back injury has forced the 33-year-old speed skater to withdraw from the tournament in Tomaszów Mazowiecki, Poland.
"After talking to the medical team of Jumbo-Visma we have decided it’s better not to go to Poland for the World Cup this upcoming weekend", Kramer said. "It's very disappointing, but I have to accept it. From now on, I will be focusing on my back recovery and I hope to be back in shape as soon as possible."
Earlier this week, Kramer had already decided not to skate in the men's 1500-meter race. In Poland the multiple Olympic champion would participate in the men’s 5000-meter race on Friday. He would also have skated the Team Pursuit with Team Jumbo-Visma teammates Patrick Roest and Douwe de Vries on Sunday.
Last week Kramer also missed the men’s 1500-meter race in Minsk. On Friday the Dutchman finished thirteenth at 5,000 meters, that was won by teammate Roest in a new track record.
Kramer had already planned a training camp in Collalbo (Italy), so he will also miss the third (Nur-Sultan/Kazakhstan) and fourth (Nagano/Japan) World Cup of the season. Kramer’s next race will be the National Single Distance Championships, which will be held at Thialf Heerenveen and kicks off on December 27th.
Foto: Stephan Tellier
