Geraint Thomas withdraws from World Championships

Geraint Thomas has pulled out of competing in the 2015 UCI Road World Championships for Great Britain at the end of September in the USA, saying that he does not "feel physically up for a good Worlds".

In a statement posted on his personal Facebook page on Monday evening, the 29-year-old Welshman said: "It's been a hard decision to make but the season has taken its toll on me and I don't feel physically up for a good Worlds.

"I don't want to go there just to make up the numbers, I'd want to be competitive or at least do a good job for the boys."

Thomas has had a long and successful season for Team Sky, kicking off his campaign at the Tour Down Under in Australia in January, and winning the Volta ao Algarve in Portugal in February.

>>> Geraint Thomas: World Championships ‘an afterthought’ after tough season

His main target for the first part of the year was the Spring Classics, where he won the E3 Harelbeke and placed third in Ghent-Wevelgem.

It was then on to warm-up races to prepare for assisting Chris Froome in the Tour de France, where Thomas placed second overall in the Tour de Suisse and fifth overall in Paris-Nice.

Thomas was Froome's main support during the Tour in July, and was himself in the top 10 overall right up until stage 19, where he lost time and ended up 15th behind overall winner Froome. Nevertheless, Thomas's performance showed that he is capable of leading a Grand Tour in his own right.

Watch: Geraint Thomas - where it all began

Thomas then rode and finished the Vuelta a España in September, again in support of Froome. As Froome was forced to withdraw from the race due to a fractured foot after a crash, Thomas admitted that he had 'bitten off more than he could chew' by competing in the Vuelta at the end of a long season. He has now decided that the Worlds would be a step too far.

"I love racing for GB and the Worlds are a really special race so it was a difficult decision to make, along with the team, but I feel it's best to rest up now before its all systems go for a big year next year. Watch this space."

Mark Cavendish is set to be Great Britain's main hope for success in the elite men's road race at the 2015 UCI Road World Championships in Richmond, USA, on September 27. A replacement for Thomas in the nine-man team has not yet been announced.

Thomas is marrying his fiancée Sara Thomas at the beginning of October, as well as following his beloved Welsh rugby side: "Next up: Rugby World Cup and getting married but not necessarily in that order," he said.