28 June 2020

Tom Dumoulin to miss world championships time trial as UCI confirm Tour de France clash

Former world time trial champion Tom Dumoulin will not be able to ride this year’s race after the UCI confirmed the TT will clash with the final day of the Tour de France.

The cycling calendar has been re-scheduled for later this year due to the coronavirus pandemic and riders will be forced to make sacrifices as a result.

Australian Rohan Dennis is the defending world time trial champion (PA)

The postponed Tour will take place from August 29 to September 20, meaning the 29-year-old will not be able to roll down the ramp in both France and at the worlds in Switzerland.

And Dutch rider Dumoulin, who won the time trial world title back in 2017, is reportedly already set to choose the Tour, according to Wielerflits.

His team, Jumbo-Visma, are expected to take a three-pronged leadership to the three-week stage race, with podium finisher Steven Kruijswijk and Vuelta Espana champion Primoz Roglic both expected to join Dumoulin.

Speaking to Cycling News earlier this month about the Tour, Dumoulin said: "Now I am not alone anymore.

"We will soon be riding for who is in the best position. If Steven Kruijswijk is the best of the team, Tom Dumoulin will ride for Steven and then Primož Roglič will ride for Steven.

"If Primož is the best, the team rides for him. If it turns out that I am the best, I ride for me. That makes you have a very strong team."

Dumoulin won the Giro d’Italia in 2017 but is yet to secure his first Tour crown.

The ex-Team Sunweb rider came closest in 2018 when he finished runner-up to British winner Geraint Thomas.

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