Cycling world champion Alaphilippe to skip Tokyo Games

Julian Alaphilippe, who was fourth in the Olympic road race in 2016, has chosen to skip the Tokyo Olympics.

French world road race champion Julian Alaphilippe will skip the Olympic road race for personal reasons, he said on Friday.

"After giving it a lot of thought, I have decided, after agreeing with the national coach and my Deceuninck-Quick Step team, not to make myself available for selection for the upcoming Tokyo Olympics," Alaphilippe wrote on Instagram .

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"It is a personal, well-considered decision," added the 28-year-old, who is becoming a father next month.

Alaphilippe, who was fourth in the Olympic road race in 2016, will however be at the start of the Tour de France on June 26 in Brest.