Alberto Contador with Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz in the 2010 Tour de France - but not in the 2010 cycling World Championships. Photo copyright Fotoreporter Sirotti.

Tour de France champion Alberto Contador (Team Astana / Team Sungard-Saxo Bank) will not race for Spain at the upcoming 2010 cycling world championships.

Spain coach Jose Luis de Santos says the three-time Tour champion will not be at the worlds in Australia.

"Alberto told me he prefers not to stretch out the season any more and will rest ahead of next season," de Santos said.

Contador also injured his right knee after crashing during training Tuesday. The injury is not expected to affect his upcoming campaign.

Spain instead will count on three-time world champion Oscar Freire and Olympic champion Samuel Sanchez among its cyclists for the September 29 - October 3 2010 World Road Cycling Championships in Melbourne and nearby Geelong.

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