Geraint Thomas withdraws from World Championships time trial
'I don't feel in good enough shape to perform at my best' says Brit
Geraint Thomas (Great Britain) has withdrawn from participating in the time trial at the UCI Road World Championships, citing a lack of form as the reason for skipping Wednesday's event.
The Welshman, who finished second at the Tour de France, made the decision to opt in to the time trial and road race earlier in the week but has said that he doesn't feel in optimum condition to compete in the time trial.
"I've tried to get back into shape after my post-Tour break, but unfortunately I don't feel in good enough shape to perform my best," Thomas said in a statement from British Cycling. "
"So, the decision was made with my coach and [team coach] Matt Brammeier at British Cycling to skip the TT and commit to the team for the road race."
The decision ends a 'will he or won't he' question over Thomas' participation in the race. His was a late decision, with the 32-year-old leaving it until after the Canadian WorldTour races to throw his hat into the ring.
Thomas, who raced the Deutschland Tour before heading to Canada in the build-up to the Worlds, will be replaced by Ribble Pro Cycling's John Archibald.
The 28-year-old finished runner-up behind Alex Dowsett in the time trial at the British National Championships back in June. Archibald, who is already in the team for the mixed relay, will join Dowsett in riding the time trial.
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"John Archibald is ready to ride the time trial in Geraint's place and has shown great form in his preparations for the team time trial mixed relay," said Great Britain performance director Stephen Park.
"He's had a good season, finishing second in the elite men's time trial at the UK National Road Championships, and I have no doubt he will put in a performance that will do the team and the fans proud."
It will be @jjzarchibald who will now ride the elite men's time trial at the @Yorkshire2019 UCI Road World Championships on Wednesday 25th September! 🙌@GeraintThomas86 has withdrawn to commit himself to next Sunday's road race 🚴🇬🇧#Yorkshire2019 pic.twitter.com/qqWQh22CToSeptember 21, 2019
Dani Ostanek is Senior News Writer at Cyclingnews, having joined in 2017 as a freelance contributor and later being hired full-time. Before joining the team, she had written for numerous major publications in the cycling world, including CyclingWeekly and Rouleur. She writes and edits at Cyclingnews as well as running newsletter, social media, and how to watch campaigns.
Dani has reported from the world's top races, including the Tour de France, Road World Championships, and the spring Classics. She has interviewed many of the sport's biggest stars, including Mathieu van der Poel, Demi Vollering, and Remco Evenepoel, and her favourite races are the Giro d'Italia, Strade Bianche and Paris-Roubaix.
Season highlights from 2024 include reporting from Paris-Roubaix – 'Unless I'm in an ambulance, I'm finishing this race' – Cyrus Monk, the last man home at Paris-Roubaix – and the Tour de France – 'Disbelief', gratitude, and family – Mark Cavendish celebrates a record-breaking Tour de France sprint win.