Geraint Thomas pulls out of GB team for Melbourne

Norway's Thor Hushovd raises his arms in triumph after winning yesterday's sixth stage of the Vuelta Picture: AFP/Getty

The 24-year-old Team Sky man was last month named as one of two riders to support Mark Cavendish's bid for the world champion's rainbow jersey, but yesterday confirmed he will no longer participate after feeling the effects of his exertions at July's Tour de France.

Thomas said: "I'm not going to be riding because I haven't felt too good since the Tour. I don't think I'll be 100 per cent there so I thought it would be better to step aside and let one of the other guys ride who are going to be more motivated and going a bit better."

Thomas, who was in possession of the best young rider's white jersey during the first week of the Tour, will now ride for Wales at next month's Commonwealth Games. His participation in Melbourne clashed with the track events in Delhi, but now Thomas has added the individual pursuit to his programme, which includes the road time-trial and road race.

His withdrawal from the World Championships road race, the 262.7 kilometres from Melbourne to Geelong on 3 October, will impact on Cavendish's hopes of emulating Tommy Simpson - the only British male to previously be crowned world champion, having won the road race in 1965.

British Cycling are yet to name who will join Cavendish and Jeremy Hunt as Thomas' replacement in the road race team, but Scotland's David Millar is a contender.

Meanwhile, Thor Hushovd of Norway won the sixth stage of the Spanish Vuelta as Philippe Gilbert kept his overall lead for the fourth straight day. Hushovd, who rides for Cervelo, crossed the finish first to take the 151km leg in 3 hours, 36 minutes, 20 seconds. Daniele Bennati of Italy and Grega Bole of Slovenia crossed the line next. Gilbert also finished with the same time to maintain his ten-second advantage over Spanish duo Joaquin Rodriguez and Igor Anton.