Support road.cc

Like this site? Help us to make it better.

news

Millar replaces Thomas in GB road race team for Melbourne World Champs

Scot to support Mark Cavendish in rainbow jersey dream as well as riding time trial

David Millar of Garmin-Transitions has been confirmed as the replacement for Geraint Thomas in Great Britain's three-man team for next month's World Road Race Championships following the Team Sky rider's withdrawal yesterday.

As reported on road.cc yesterday, the Welshman withdrew from the stage saying that the after-effects of the Tour de France meant that he wouldn't be in peak condition for the 263km race between Melbourne and Geelong.

With Millar already travelling to Melbourne to compete in the World Time Trial Championship - a title he won in Canada in 2003 but was subsequently stripped of after confessing to doping - he was an obvious replacement for Thomas, and with Great Britain qualifying only three riders in the race, could play a key role in helping Cavendish achieve his rainbow jersey dreams if the race comes down to a bunch sprint.

The Manxman is hoping to become only the second British male to win the World Road Race Championship since the late Tom Simpson did so in 1965.

Dave Brailsford, British Cycling's Performance Director, said: "Following selection, Geraint was feeling tired in subsequent races and felt the road worlds were out of reach."

He contiuned: "David Millar has now been selected to ride the road race as well as the time-trial and based on his current form we believe he will work well with Jeremy to give Mark the best chance at the road worlds."

 

Simon joined road.cc as news editor in 2009 and is now the site’s community editor, acting as a link between the team producing the content and our readers. A law and languages graduate, published translator and former retail analyst, he has reported on issues as diverse as cycling-related court cases, anti-doping investigations, the latest developments in the bike industry and the sport’s biggest races. Now back in London full-time after 15 years living in Oxford and Cambridge, he loves cycling along the Thames but misses having his former riding buddy, Elodie the miniature schnauzer, in the basket in front of him.

Latest Comments