Olympic champion Pidcock 'deselected' for Il Lombardia

Olympic mountain bike champion Tom Pidcock said on Friday he had been "deselected" for Saturday's Il Lombardia by his Ineos Grenadiers team.

The 25-year-old Briton would have been amongst the favourites for the race, having finished second behind Tadej Pogacar in the warm-up Tour of Emilia.

"Just as things were on the up after a turbulent end to the year, I am deselected for Lombardia tomorrow," Pidcock posted on Instagram.

"I am in great shape and was really looking forwarded to it. Good luck to the boys, I guess off season starts early. Thanks for everyone's support even in the tough times."

Pidcock won the Amstel Gold classic in April, raced the Tour de France in July before defending his Olympic Mountain bike title in Paris.