Cervelo TestTeam's Heinrich Haussler (Australia) has decided not to take part in the 2010 UCI World Championships, which will be held on October 3 in Geelong, Australia.

26-year-old Haussler, who was in the initial selection of the Australian Cycling Federation, has been plagued by knee problems since spring and underwent knee surgery in June.

"If I were to go to the start line at the World Championships, I would want to be 100% in shape and able to ride for the victory. This will unfortunately not be possible for me," Haussler commented and added "It would have been a dream to start on home soil but I am not ready yet. My main focus is now already on next season, where I want to perform well again in my favourite spring classic races."

Haussler, who is recovering well, is planning to return to competition this autumn but only when he is 100% fit and ready to race.

Other Australian sprinter Robbie McEwen (Team Katusha) and leadout man Mark Renshaw (Team HTC-Columbia) were also left out of the AUstralian team for the 2010 World Championships. Including them as part of the team is speculated to have conflicted with the interests of defending road cycling world champion Cadel Evans (Team BMC Racing).