Spain’s Javier Gomez has withdrawn from the 2010 Mooloolaba ITU World Cup just days out from the season opener. The world number two is devastated at the news and is now in doubt for the opening round of the Dextro Energy Triathlon ITU World Championship in Sydney.

Gomez underwent MRI and bone scans on his hip in Brisbane yesterday and the results were not good news for the 2008 World Champion, who turns 27 tomorrow. The specific results of the tests are unknown at this time.

“My doctor in Spain has told me not to race and rest for at least some days,” said Gomez from Noosa.

Mooloolaba has been a good omen for Gomez in previous years. He finished second to Brad Kahlefeldt in 2007 and won the following year.

“I’m really sorry not to be competing. This is the race that I really like and that’s why I wanted to start my racing season there like in 2007 and 2008. I hope I come back next year,” said Gomez.

There is some more positive news coming from the Australian camp on Courtney Atkinson, who is now looking like a much more likely starter.

“I’ll still not 100 percent, but I am feeling much better after being able to regain some weight,” Atkinson said.

The reigning champion’s weight plummeted to 63kg.

He added, “There’s still a few more days to keep working on it and I am in the mindset that I will be racing.”