Tirreno-Adriatico missing Chris Froome, say Contador and Nibali

After Sky rider was forced to withdraw from race through his illness, his rivals say it is just isn't the same without him

Alberto Contador, Chris Froome and Benat Intxausti on the final podium of the 2015 Tour of Andalucia Ruta Del Sol (Watson)

(Image credit: Watson)

Chris Froome's absence is being felt by even his biggest rivals in the Tirreno-Adriatico stage race this week.

The start-list was looking like a who's who of top road racing talent before the event, but Froome was forced to drop out with a chest infection, while Marcel Kittel also withdrew through illness.

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