Fabian Cancellara, Courtesy of Wikipedia

And he also rode in strong support of CSC-Saxo Bank teammate Carlos Sastre of Spain, who claimed this year’s Tour de France.

But Cancellera has announced he won’t defend his title Thursday in the World Championships in Varese, Italy. The reason: he’s too tired.

Cancellara is 27 years old, and there’s no doubt he’s had a long season. But he’s too young to be tired.

“I lack the force,” Cancellara said via the Swiss Cycling Federation’s Web site. “You can’t win races with passion alone.”

Cancellara was the favorite to win the time trial, but he’s among several prominent cyclists who’ve declined to participate in what used to be considered cycling’s most important race outside of the Tour de France.

But what’s really the issue, here?

It just seems that the World Championships of Cycling, one of only two events at highest level of cycling (the other is the Olympic Games) where athletes compete for their countries, just isn’t a relevant as it once was.