Below-par Kenny withdraws from the omnium

LAURA Kenny withdrew from the omnium at the UCI Track Cycling World Championships in Pruszkow yesterday, with Katie Archibald riding in her place.

Kenny, pictured, a two-time Olympic gold medal-winner in the event, said after Britain took silver behind Australia in Thursday’s team pursuit final that she had been not been able to produce her best form for unknown reasons this week.

“I am absolutely gutted to announce that I won’t be riding in the omnium at the world championships,” Kenny wrote on Instagram.

“I haven’t been feeling right all week for reasons we’re not sure of, but we do know my performances in the team pursuit over the last two days have been well off where I have been over the last two weeks.

“I really wanted to do it, but with the depth of the squad it was decided that it was better that I didn’t.”

Her withdrawal brings to an end a frustrating week for both Kennys in Pruszkow.

Kenny and Archibald rode with Ellie Dickinson and Elinor Barker in the women’s team pursuit on Thursday, but lost to Australia by just two tenths of a second.

Husband Jason had no joy at all, with the men’s team sprint squad missing out on the medal rounds.

British Cycling performance director Stephen Park said: “This is the right decision for both herself and her team-mates.”