Mark Cavendish pulls out of UCI Road World Championships
Friday 18 September 2015 16:24, UK
Mark Cavendish has been forced to withdraw from the Great Britain team for the UCI Road World Championships, which start in Richmond, United States, on Sunday.
The 30-year-old Manxman has not recovered from the shoulder injury he sustained in a crash at the Tour of Britain last week.
Cavendish had been hoping to become the first Briton to win the world road race twice, having previously triumphed in 2011.
Cavendish tweeted: "Absolutely devastated to have to pull out of the #Richmond2015 World Champs next week due to my shoulder injury sustained last week."
The course for the world road race, which takes place on Sunday, September 27, has the potential to end in a sprint finish and Cavendish had been expected to be the leader of the British team.
British Cycling technical director Shane Sutton added: "It's a real blow for Mark to have to pull out of this year's race as we thought he had a great chance of being successful.
"Unfortunately the injury he sustained during last week's Tour of Britain is more serious than we had hoped. We wish him well in his recovery."
Adam Yates has been added to the British squad following the withdrawal of Geraint Thomas earlier in the week.
The championships will be held from Sunday, September 20, to Sunday, September 27.
