British Team Sky rider Chris Froome has suggested that he may not compete in the 2015 Tour de France in order to focus on other races.
The new course for the 102nd edition of the elite race was outlined today and the lack of time trialling does not suit the 29-year-old, who won the title in 2013.
Instead, Froome has suggested that he may focus on riding in the Giro d'Italia and the Vuelta a Espana.
"The team and I will give it some careful consideration before we make any commitments to which of the grand tours I will compete in," BBC Sport quotes Froome as saying.
"I see myself as quite a balanced GC rider and the Giro, with its inclusion of a long TT of 60km and tough uphill finishes, will make it a well-balanced race which suits me well.
"If I did the Giro I may also be able to get myself back to top shape for the Vuelta and go there with a realistic chance of aiming for the win."
Froome relinquished the Tour de France crown to Vincenzo Nibali after he crashed out of the race earlier this year.
