When the French squad for the World Championships was announced yesterday, many were surprised by the omission of Sylvain Chavanel from the list containing the French participants in the road race.

It turns out, however, that Chavanel had initially been offered a place in the French team by national coach Bernard Bourreau but had elected to turn the offer down.

In an interview with French sports daily L’Équipe on Wednesday Chavanel explains his rationale for limiting his participation to the time trial (both the individual and the team time trials).

"It [the road race] is not for me,” Chavanel said. “I am a very lucid. I know what I'm worth at any given moment, and at the moment I do not feel able to be in the game for a final such as Florence next week. In fact, I do not want to feel useless.”

Chavanel said it was more important for French cycling to pass the opportunity on to the coming generation of riders.

"You have to leave the keys to the new generation. I do not think the current team of France has any need for me,” he continued. “You should know when to leave the keys to the new generation. We have very talented young riders, and if you continue to select old and experienced riders, the talents will never have the opportunity to flourish."

Chavanel is the incumbent French time trial champion and he is also reigning world champion with his Omega Pharma-Quick Step team-mates in the TTT.