The junior world champion had won every junior World Cup race he contested during the past t♛wo years and was expected to mix it up with the top U23s this season; however, illness struck the young rider, who finished near the re𒈔ar of his field on Saturday.
The 18-year-old suffered from a painful stomach upset and vomiting throughout the night prior to his race, but still decided toไ start in his first World Cup f💝or his new Cannondale Factory Team at Albstadt.
"I spent🐲 the night with a terrible stomach ache and vomiting and got little sleep," Cooper said."I🤡 could not keep any food down. I guess these things happen."
Cooper was well off the pace, struggling home in 85th place,꧑ a lap behind the winner Markus Schulte-Leunzum of Germany.
"I need time ♑to let the body recover, and I hope I can be right for the next round at Nove Mesto in a week," said Cooper.
