Olympic champ Evan Lysacek to miss Skating Classic due to injury

USA's Evan Lysacek performs his short program during the men's figure skating competition at the Vancouver 2010 Olympics in Vancouver, British Columbia on Feb. 16, 2010. (AP / Mark Baker)

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- Olympic champion Evan Lysacek's comeback is again being delayed by injury.

Lysacek was to compete later this week at the U.S. International Skating Classic, his first event since winning gold at the Vancouver Games. But he withdrew Monday, citing a slight abdominal tear. A similar injury forced him out of Skate America last year, and he eventually had sports hernia surgery. The recovery knocked him out for the rest of the season, meaning Lysacek has missed three full seasons since beating rival Evgeni Plushenko in Vancouver.

A release from U.S. Figure Skating says Lysacek expects to make a full recovery from the latest injury, but did not give a timeline for his return. He is still entered for Skate America, which is Oct. 18-20 in Detroit. The U.S. championships, where the Sochi Olympic team will be selected, are Jan. 9-12 in Boston.

It's not clear when Lysacek's injury occurred. He performed his long and short programs late last month at Champs Camp, where the top U.S. skaters are evaluated by judges before the season begins.

Ice dancers Maia and Alex Shibutani also withdrew Monday after he tweaked his neck in practice.

Grant Hochstein will replace Lysacek. Alissandra Aronow and Collin Brubaker will replace the Shibutanis at the International Skating Classic, which begins Thursday in Salt Lake City.