Chris Froome has been forced to withdraw from the Paris-Nice race after contracting a chest infection.

The Team Sky rider picked up the illness on the Volta ao Algarve and pulled out after the third stage.

And with the 2011 Vuelta a Espana runner-up still convalescing, he will not make Sky's eight-man squad.

"Chris has not yet recovered from the chest infection he picked up at the Volta ao Algarve," said team doctor Richard Freeman. "He's improving and it's nothing serious but by skipping Paris-Nice this gives him ample time to recover.

"The team felt this was the best approach for the rider and he'll be back to his best in no time."

The Briton will be replaced by Spaniard Xabier Zandio for the eight-day race - the second on this season's UCI WorldTour calendar - which starts on March 4.

Eurosport