Friday 11 December 2015 09:23, UK
Ed Clancy will undergo surgery on a back injury next week, ruling him out of December's UCI Track Cycling World Cup in New Zealand.
The 30-year-old Yorkshireman has not raced since he slipped a disc picking up a heavy bag in September.
In a statement released on Thursday, British Cycing technical director Shane Sutton said: "Ed has been struggling with his back and he needs the operation.
"Someone of Ed's calibre is obviously a big loss to the squad, but we believe we have the riders capable of stepping up in his absence, allowing him to focus on his surgery and rehabilitation."
Clancy had been due to lead Britain's men's pursuit team at the New Zealand World Cup, which takes place from December 4-6 and is the second of the season's three World Cups.
His withdrawal means he will now have to race at the third World Cup, in Hong Kong in January, in order to qualify for the UCI Track Cycling World Championships in London in March.
He has been replaced in Britain's squad for the New Zealand World Cup by academy rider Joe Holt.
