Thomas withdraws from Britain's Worlds team
- Thursday, 2 September 2010
- 4 Comments
Geraint Thomas, Tour de France 2010, stage 7
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
British World Championship team named
Three spots for Great Britain at World Championship road race
Reader comments
Add your commentsSeptember 02 17:48
Baz
Adam Blythe meets the bill in every respect although with Pillipe Gilbert, for whom Blythe did terrific work in the classics, now showing his best ever form and a serious contender for the Worlds there might be some conflict of interests. The selectors should certainly consider him.
September 03 07:54
George
Good move he may as well do something for himself. Russ Downing to replace him. No doubt he well get over looked by Brailsford. This guy is the only man who finished the worlds last year for GB and finished it in previous years and he can sprint. So he can get bottles and lead Cav out.
No doubt some other ex academy ride who has not proved them selves will get a place for experience . Please..... lets go their to win!
September 03 08:54
Ron Stuart
So he is fit for the 5th of Oct in Delhi but not the 3rd Oct in Melbourne?
He's been watching Cav sprinting in Spain this week hasn't he?
September 03 09:55
Colin
George,
Russell Downing didn't finish the RR at the Worlds last year - but he did in 2008.