Mark Cavendish has pulled out of the Arctic Race of Norway as he continues to recover from injury.
The Isle of Man rider had been expected to compete for Team Dimension Data after he was announced as a key participant by race organisers in July.
But the sprinter missed Sunday’s European Championship road race and has been advised by doctors not to compete in Norway.
Team Dimension Data said on its website: “Mark Cavendish will not be participating as he continues his recovery that saw him advised to miss out on the recent European Championships in Glasgow. An update on Mark’s return to racing will be given in due course.”
Cavendish — who competed at this year’s Tour de France but missed the time after Stage 11 — will be replaced by Austrian rider Bernard Eisel.