April 22, 2006 – Canada’s Charles Dionne (Saunier Duval/Prodir) is on forced rest from competition due to lingering problems with pain in his left leg, possibly putting into jeopardy his participation at the upcoming Tour de France. The 27-year-old cyclist who riders with Spanish Pro Tour team Saunier Duval/Prodir is in Quebec for a week before returning back to Spain to see a vascular specialist.

“I have an appointment with a specialist in Asturia on April 26, at which point I’ll have a better idea of what to expect. In theory, I could take five weeks off cycling without loosing form. I am still able to ride, just not at high intensity,” said Dionne in a recent interview with Radio-Canada.

In terms of his possible participation at the 2006 Tour de France no decisions have been made. Directors of Dionne’s team Saunier Duval/Prodir must choose nine riders from its team of twenty-seven for the famous race. “Its always been my dream to ride at the Tour de France, but it may take two to three years to finally get there,” he added.