Thomas withdraws from Britain's Worlds team

Briton Geraint Thomas will not be participating in the UCI road race world championships in Melbourne, Australia, on October 3.

The current British national champion has decided to withdraw from the event citing poor form afer the Tour de France. He was due to support Mark Cavendish's bid for the rainbow jersey alongside Jeremy Hunt.

"I'm not going to be riding because I haven't felt too good since the Tour [de France]," Thomas told Press Assocation Sport.

"I decided to just pull out because I don't think I'll be 100 per cent there so I thought it would be better to step aside and let one of the other guys ride who are going to be more motivated and going a bit better."

Thomas will now concentrate on his participation in the Commonwealth Games in Delhi (October 3-14), where he will ride in the individual pursuit, road race and time trial for Wales.

Thomas and Hunt were selected specifically to support Cavendish on the tough course. Thomas was chosen for his fast finishing pace to assist Cavendish in the final kilometres of the race.

British Cycling are now faced with a tough decision on who will fill Britain's third place, particularly as Ben Swift and Peter Kennaugh have suffered from the severe stomach illness that has swept through Team Sky's Vuelta a Espana squad this week.

Either David Millar or Roger Hammond would be a likely replacement for Thomas. Millar is already riding for GB in the time trial, and Hammond has the experience and skill to support Cavendish.

Related links

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