After including Egan Bernal in its line-up yesterday for the World Championships in Yorkshire, the Colombian cycling federation has been forced to back track just 24 hours later.
The Tour de France is returning to racing in Europe
tomorrow but he has decided against riding the Worlds.
And now his home federation has been forced to confirm
that today having already said he would be in the team.
Bernal had previously said he would only ride the Worlds if he felt he was in good condition.
Otherwise he would not make himself available and somebody else could take his place.
He Tweeted out such a statement two weeks ago while
training in Colombia. And when he was included in the Colombian team
announcement yesterday it seemed certain he would make his road Worlds debut in
Yorkshire.
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However, the Colombian federation has today issued a statement saying he would not be in the team after all.
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“The talented cyclist of Team Ineos decided to turn down the call-up,” said the Colombian Federation in a statement.
"Bernal had been included by coach Carlos Mario Jaramillo among the eight riders selected along with Nairo Quintana, Fernando Gaviria, Álvaro Hodeg, Sebastián Molano, Sebastián Henao, Esteban Chaves and Daniel Martínez.
“However on Monday, the closing day of the registrations
with the UCI, the talented Team Ineos rider decided to decline selection, which
is why Betancur, entered in the pre-selection, took his place."
Bernal is back in Europe after a very long break at home
following his Tour de France victory in July.
He will line out tomorrow for Team Ineos at Giro della Toscana. The team’s selection for that race also includes Eddie Dunbar.
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