Vincenzo Nibali skips World Championships: It is not fair to take the place from a colleague
Sep 17 2019 08:18 pm CET
Photo of Vincenzo Nibali by Bahrain-Merida
Vincenzo Nibali has given away his spot in the Italian roster for the World Championships because he thinks his shape is not good enough for the competition.
The Italian winner of all three Grand Tours was set to join the Italian selection for the road race of the World Championships of Yorkshire, United Kingdom. But Nibali is still recovering from two Grand Tours a year after that serious accident of the 2018 Tour de France and he doesn't feel in shape to face the competition.
"The blue shirt for me is sacred and must be respected," said the rider to Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport. "I'm not at the top and it is not fair to take the place from a colleague."
The 34-year-old has started in this season in the Giro d'Italia and the Tour de France and he went to the Canadian races to test his shape, and he doesn't feel at his greatest shape. Nibali is also studying his preparation options for 2020, when he wants to compete for the Olympic Games and the World Championships, both on courses that are more suitable for his characteristics.
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