Doull Skips People’s Choice Classic In Adelaide With Stomach Upset

Owain Doull was pulled out of today’s People’s Choice Classic in Australia as a precaution after suffering with a stomach upset.

The 50.5km race in Adelaide was a warm-up for the Tour Down Under which starts on Tuesday when the Welshman will make his World Tour debut with Team Sky.

Doull is joining fellow Cardiff-born riders Geraint Thomas and Luke Rowe in Sky’s seven man squad for the six-day race.

The 23-year-old Olympic team pursuit champ made the switch from Team WIGGINS last year though this week’s race is his proper debut.

And Doull reckons winning gold in Rio last summer means he will be able to handle the pressure of racing for Sky.

He said: “I don’t think I’ll ever feel nerves similar to what you do for a track race.

“I think knowing everything is on the line, four years of your life just for four minutes worth, is pretty intense.

“The build-up to it as well, selection, it’s a bit of a rollercoaster. I don’t think anything on the road will come close to that pressure cooker really.”

Doull’s schedule with Sky includes the sprig Classics but he already has an eye on making his Grand Tour debut at the Vuelta a Espana in August.

He added: “I don’t really know what I want to specialise in. I was good at those one-day races at an under-23 level so it seems like a good starting point.

“I’ve asked already if I can do the Vuelta. It’s something good to aim toward the back end of the year. Whether I get a ride is a completely different matter.”