American Adrien Costa won't be on hand to defend his 2016 title when the Tour de Bretagne rolls out of Rennes on Tuesday, choosing instead to alter his race calendar and compete in the U23 time trial at the Pan American Road Championships in the Dominican Republic next week.
"It was a decision him and I made together," USA Cycling U23 Manager Nate Wilson said in a statement released by Costa's trade team, Axeon Hagens Berman. "He could go there and do well, but it's not the best thing for him at the moment."
Wilson elaborated on the decision in an email to Cyclingnews, saying Costa is not sick or injured, he's just changing his program "a little bit."
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Racing with USA Cycling last year at the UCI 2.2 Europe Tour race, Costa, 19, took the lead on the stage 4 summit finish and then held it through the final three days.
Despite lacking the defending champion on the US team this year, Wilson said the squad is bringing a strong line up with multiple riders who could win the overall.
"Some may look at this as a challenge," Wilson said. "But as long as we play it right, it is only a strength. The key, for me, is to create an environment where one rider is just as happy to see their teammate win, as they are to see themselves. If we can use our strength collectively, we will be successful."
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