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."
Chris Froome and Geraint Thomas on stage four of the 2015 Tour de France
(Image credit: Watson)
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.
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.
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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.
"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."
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.
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Nigel Wynn worked as associate editor on CyclingWeekly.com, he worked almost single-handedly on the Cycling Weekly website in its early days. His passion for cycling, his writing and his creativity, as well as his hard work and dedication, were the original driving force behind the website’s success. Without him, CyclingWeekly.com would certainly not exist on the size and scale that it enjoys today. Nigel sadly passed away, following a brave battle with a cancer-related illness, in 2018. He was a highly valued colleague, and more importantly, an exceptional person to work with - his presence is sorely missed.
