Having given up on his dreams of riding for Great Britain in the Rio Olympic Games road race, Peter Kennaugh has further explained his rationale for withdrawing, explaining honestly that he did not want to ride unless in optimal form.
"I did everything I possibly could to be in shape for the Rio Olympic Games with the time I had after breaking my collarbone at the Tour of California in May," said the London 2012 team pursuit gold medallist.
The 27-year-old crashed on stage 3 of the Tour of California in May, which saw him miss the defence of his national road race title, and a spot in Sky's Tour de France squad. Stephen Cummings (Dimension Data) was named as Kennaugh's replacement in Team GB's squad for the Olympic Games, having initially been left off the team.
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Kennaugh made his return to racing at the Tour de Pologne this month in his bid to build form and condition for the challenging Rio course, finishing 51st overall with 31st in the final day time trial his best result of the race. Kennaugh explained that despite having finished the WorldTour race, he felt he wouldn't be at 100 per cent for Rio and wouldn't want to be there in anything less than optimal form.
"Unfortunately I just didn't feel at the level needed to compete at the Olympics and I didn't want to be on the start line at 70% as it wouldn't be fair on the team or myself, especially when you have other guys who are in the form of their lives and it's about having the best 5 guys there on the day. I wish all my team mates good luck on both road and track at Rio."
The two-time British champion is looking to return to racing at the Clasica Ciclista San Sebastian on July 30, and Vuelta a Burgos in early-August.
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