Thomas Will Miss Worlds Having Emptied The Tank In France

Geraint Thomas will not line-up for Britain at the World Road Race Championships.

The Tour de France champion admitted during last week’s Tour of Britain that that race would likely be his last of the season after a hectic and heady few months.

Thomas was originally named in Britain’s long list for the championships in Salzburg, Austria, from September 23-30 but, as expected, is not included in the final selection.

Six-time Grand Tour winner Chris Froome, who was third as Team Sky team-mate Thomas inherited his Yellow Jersey in July, will also not be making the trip.

“Chris Froome and Geraint Thomas are obvious omissions from the men’s team, and this was a decision we made mutually,” said British Cycling’s Performance Director Stephen Park.

“Given the challenging nature of the course, we want every rider selected to be able to give their 100% to the team, and on the back of what has been an incredible season for both G and Froomey, it’s understandable they are unable to commit to this.

“I’m looking for us to carry on the momentum of this season into Innsbruck and I’m expecting to see some good performances in each race. We can then build on this in 2019 when the world championships come to Yorkshire and we can look forward to competing on our home roads.”

Simon Yates, the current leader of the Vuelta a Espana, and his twin brother Adam have made selection for the elite men’s road race, as have Ian Stannard, winner of stage seven of this year’s Tour of Britain, and reigning national champion Connor Swift.

Hugh Carthy, Pete Kennaugh, Tao Geoghagen Hart and James Knox complete the team, while Tao and Alex Dowsett will represent Great Britain in the time trial event.

Dani Rowe took road race bronze at the Commonwealths in April.

Wales’ Commonwealth Games road race bronze medallist Dani Rowe will spearhead the women’s challenge after a highly-successful season.

The Cardiff-based rider will be joined by Hannah Barnes, Dani Christmas, Alice Cobb, Anna Henderson and Sophie Wright.

In the time trial, Commonwealth Games 2018 time trial bronze Hayley Simmonds and Alice Barnes will take to the start-line.

Newport-born Stevie Williams will compete in the under-23 road race having just finished 37th at the Tour of Britain.

Williams will ride alongside Mark Donovan, James Shaw, Max Stedman and Ethan Hayter who will compete in the under-23 time trial with Charlie Tanfield.

In the junior races, Ben Tulett, the reigning junior cyclo-cross world champion, is amongst those selected for the men’s team and will represent Great Britain in both the road race and the time trial events.

Pfeiffer Georgi, who won two rounds of this year’s UCI Women’s Junior Nations’ Cup series, is set to compete in the road race and the time trial.

Park added: “British riders have excelled themselves on the road this season at all levels and it’s been a pleasure to watch them in action.

“We’ve selected a strong team to take on this year’s world championships, and there’s a lot of talent within the squad.

“It’s great to see so many WorldTour riders on our start list but equally, it shows what a great place we are in as a nation to be able to give riders such as Hugh Carthy, Connor Swift, Dani Christmas, Alice Cobb and Anna Henderson the opportunity to make their debut appearance at world championship level for the Great Britain Cycling Team.

Great Britain Cycling Team for UCI Road World Championships 2018:

Elite Men’s Road Race:

 Hugh Carthy

Tao Geoghegan Hart

Pete Kennaugh

James Knox

Ian Stannard

Connor Swift

Adam Yates

Simon Yates

Elite Men’s Time Trial:

 Alex Dowsett

Tao Geoghagen Hart

Elite Women’s Road Race:

 Hannah Barnes

Dani Christmas

Alice Cobb

Anna Henderson

Dani Rowe

Sophie Wright

 Elite Women’s Time Trial:

Alice Barnes

Hayley Simmonds

Under-23 Men’s Road Race:

Mark Donovan

Ethan Hayter

James Shaw

Max Stedman

Stephen Williams

Under 23 Men’s Time Trial:

Ethan Hayter

Charlie Tanfield

Junior Men’s Road Race:

Lewis Askey

Alfie George

Mason Hollyman

Ben Tulett

Sam Watson

Junior Men’s Time Trial

 Joe Laverick

Ben Tulett

Junior Women’s Road Race:

Elynor Backstedt

Pfeiffer Georgi

Amy Monkhouse

Amelia Sharpe

April Tacey

Junior Women’s Time Trial:

Pfeiffer Georgi

Elynor Backstedt