Geraint Thomas pulls out of World Championships time trial

Geraint Thomas has withdrawn from the elite men’s time trial event at the UCI Road World Championships on Wednesday. The Welshman said he didn’t feel he was in good enough shape to compete for victory. He remains a member of the road race team for the following Sunday.

Thomas said: “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 to my best. So the decision was made with my coach and Matt Brammeier at British Cycling to skip the TT and commit to the team for the road race.”

British hopes will instead rest on the man who replaced him as national time trial champion this year, Alex Dowsett of Katusha-Alpecin.

Thomas’s spot will go to John Archibald, who will also ride the Team Time Trial Mixed Relay, a new event that the UCI hopes to include in the programme for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

British Cycling performance director Stephen Park said: “While it’s a shame that Geraint is withdrawing from the time trial, we understand and support his decision. Geraint will still represent Great Britain in the road race where he will be a real asset to the team.

 “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. He’s had a good season, finishing second in the elite men’s time trial at the HSBC UK | National Road Championships and I have no doubt he will put in a performance that will do the team and the fans proud.”