Gerald Ciolek has announced that he won’t take part in the World Championships for Germany later this month in Ponferrada, Spain.

“You shouldn’t ask me this question,” Ciolek said. “I am not selected.”

This may be a shock to many as even though John Degenkolb will lead the team, the course’s hilly nature suits the 27-year-old Ciolek much more than compatriots Andre Greipel and Marcel Kittel.

But Ciolek, 2006 U23 World Champion, has only ridden three road races, 2007-2009 and finished none of them. He hasn’t exactly been flying at the Vuelta either, with his best result being eleventh on stage 2.

“The Vuelta has been going good so far. We have been missing some highlights. A stage win for us would be very nice,” Ciolek said. “Otherwise, we have been doing okay.”

His MTN-Qhubeka team, who are riding their first Grand Tour at the Vuelta, have made some big signings for 2015 that may affect Ciolek’s ability to command leadership in the sprints after signing Edvald Boasson Hagen, Theo Bos and Reinardt Janse van Rensburg. But Ciolek insists he will still be the main man for the sprints next year.

“My role will not change for next season,” he said. “That was always the team plan, and to keep growing. It’s good the new riders are coming, and keep the team moving forward. They have some big goals.”

These signings were made to help the team grow and receive an invitation to the Tour de France. Ciolek has some podium places in the sprints there and fellow German and teammate Linus Gerdemann has worn the race's famous Yellow Jersey.

“I think there is a possibility to go to the Tour next year,” he said. “We’ve made a big step, and we’ve signed some big riders. Now it’s up to proving it in the early part of the season, and we can hope to get an invitation.”

Ciolek himself enjoyed instant success after signing at the end of 2012 for the team, winning stages in races like the Tour of Britain and, most importantly, Milan-Sanremo, the fist Monument of the year.