Jonathan Tiernan-Locke out of World Championships

Jonathan Tiernan-Locke will not take part in the elite men's road race at the 2013 Road World Championships on Sunday, citing lack of form.

"Was sorry I had to withdraw from the worlds line up, just don't have the form to help the lads there. Good luck to team GB though!" the Devon man tweeted on Thursday afternoon.

Tiernan-Locke was set to have been part of Great Britain's eight-man line up, a key helper in setting up Chris Froome to contest the win on the hilly circuit around Florence, Italy.

After signing to Sky for 2013, Tiernan-Locke has had a quiet season marked by illness and fatigue. "I don't feel like I've got the best out of myself this year," the 28 year-old said in August. "I already feel like the best part of the season has gone by and I've made myself useful at races but for me personally, its been a bit disappointing."

Luke Rowe will replace Tiernan-Locke to ride alongside Froome, Mark Cavendish, Steve Cummings, Josh Edmondson, Ian Stannard, Geraint Thomas and time trial silver medallist Bradley Wiggins to represent Britain in the road race.

Tiernan-Locke placed 19th in his World Championships road race debut last year, just five seconds behind winner Philippe Gilbert (Belgium).