While the Tour of Britain course suits Sky’s Peter Kennaugh, the Manxman says he is unsure of his form after not racing since stage 16 of the Tour de France, giving him seven weeks off from competitive racing.
“To be honest I'm pretty uncertain about my form. I'm not being cagey; I just don't know where I am at after falling ill at the Tour and taking a good rest," the Manxman told the Tour of Britain website.
"I've been back on the island (the Isle of Man) for a good spell and doing some training with the Tour of Britain as my target so I feel pretty fit and well again and reasonably fresh. But that doesn’t always translate into good form. There is no substitute for racing miles in the legs and from what I've seen the Tour of Britain its ridden pretty full gas right from the start so it’s not as if might get a chance to ease myself back in like you might get on a Grand Tour."
Kennaugh confirmed that if he was on top form, he would be up there as a favourite for the race, but he says that he cant say for sure if he will be able to challenge but he does say he intends to enjoy himself racing on home roads.
“When I look at the route my gut feeling is that it is the sort of race that should suit me if I was in top form with lots of mixed terrain days, one summit finish and there is no TT but realistically I think I will be riding for Ben Swift who is probably our best bet for GC," he said.
“I intend to enjoy myself. I've missed the racing, being with the lads on a daily basis and the structure of the day and the week that racing gives you. If you are a bike racer that's what you want to do. The crowds always seem to be big on the Tour of Britain and I will get to ride in the British champion's jersey for the week so that’s great.”
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