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Fabian Cancellara of Switzerland is one of cycling’s biggest stars. He’s personable, he’s won the world time trial championship in successive years, he won the gold and bronze medal, respectively in the time trial and road race in the Beijing Olympics.

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.

The possibility of Lance Armstrong returning to the professional road cycling brought quick reaction from around the globe.

Immediate reaction was that it’s a good thing. But one of the possible shortcomings is that if Armstrong returns it may neutralize the accomplishments of other cyclists who have received their share of the spotlight since Armstrong’s retirement in 2005.

Bobby Julich

In the same vein, with the news of Armstrong’s possible return was pending, the retirement of two long-time American pro cyclists didn’t quite get the appropriate attention.

Nether Bobby Julich nor Michael Sayers succeeded at Armstrong’s level. Then again, nor has any other cyclist. But Julich of Reno, Nev., and Sayers of Sacramento, Calif., deserve some major farewell props.

Julich, 36, who finished third in the 1988 Tour de France, came through the amateur ranks with Armstrong, but took his own path on the international circuit. He won his share of race and had late-career success, including a time trial bronze medal in the 2004 Summer Olympics.

Julich had rough years, including a disheartening departure from the Tour de France in 1999 when he crashed in the time trial in Metz. But Bjarne Riis revived his career in 2004 with the CSC and he became a respected cycling elder statesman. He rode as a pro for 15 years.

Sayers, 38, rode in the pro peloton for 14 years, primarily racing in the United States. He won a handful of races and twice represented the U.S. in the world championships. Mostly, he rode unselfishly for three teams helping younger riders learn the ways of the peloton. He’s riding this week in the Tour of Missouri, his last race.

Farewell, Bobby Julich and Mike Sayers, and fare well.

With the exception of the Olympics and World Championships, professional cyclists compete for international teams sponsored by global banks to mobile phone manufacturers, carpet makers to athletic apparel manufacturers.

Mark Cavendish/Courtesy Wikipedia

So, for the casual observer, it might be difficult to understand why British star Mark Cavendish won’t be competing in his country’s national tour, the Tour of Britain.

Cavendish, arguably the world’s best sprinter, won four stages of the Tour de France in July. But instead of the competing in the Tour of Britain, Sept. 7-14, Cavendish, who is employed by the American-based squad Team Columbia, will compete beginning Sept. 8 in weeklong Tour of Missouri.

Cavendish will race for individual stage wins, but he’ll also ride in support of American George Hincapie, the team’s captain. Hincapie is the defending titlist in the 623-mile Tour of Missouri, a second-year race.