Sastre in doubt for TDF

Madrid - Spanish cyclist Carlos Sastre, the winner of the 2008 Tour de France, is a doubt for this year's race because of a back injury sustained at the Giro d'Italia, his press service said on Wednesday.

The results of MRI scans carried out on the 35-year-old revealed he picked up a herniated disc after falling twice at the Giro.

"This injury could well condition whether he participates in the coming Tour de France or not," read a statement issued on his behalf.

Sastre, who finished the Giro in eighth place overall behind champion Ivan Basso, said he will not take part in the July 3-25 Tour de France if he is not fully fit.

"What I do know right now is that, in theory, I have time to recover to ride in the Tour, but I don't want to obsess about participating in it," the Cervelo rider said in the statement.

"I don't plan to go if I'm going to feel burdened from day one. If I do end up competing in the race, it will be because I'm fully recovered."

Sastre is not currently scheduled to race any events, including the Spanish national championships on June 27.