Great Britain will skip this year's European Road Championships, not allowing Joshua Tarling to defend his time trial title

Great Britain will not participate in the European Cycling Championships in Flanders. The British Federation has confirmed this to Sporza. This also means that Joshua Tarling, who became European time trial champion in Emmen last year, will not be able to defend his title.

Tarling was also one of the top favorites for European gold in the time trial this year. The 20-year-old Brit recently finished just a few seconds off the podium in the Olympic time trial, despite a flat tire.

In Belgian Limburg, where the European Championships will take place this year, he would have to compete against the winner at the Olympic Games: Remco Evenepoel. However, that duel will be postponed at the very least until two weeks later at the World Championships in Zurich.

It is not known why Great Britain is not sending riders to the European Championships. However rumours suggest tight financial situation of the British Cycling which already saw most of the domestic races butchered in recent years, had an impact on this decision.