Fabio Aru has decided to stay in the Qhubeka-Assos team camp rather than try to earn a selection for the UCI Cyclocross World Championships in Oostende, Belgium on Sunday.

The Italian returned to his roots by taking part in several cyclocross races during the winter, sparking speculation that he might try for the World Championships, but after a training camp with the national team in Aldea, he decided to make room for specialists and young riders by agreed with national coach Fausto Scotti.

"I will not participate in the World Cyclocross Championships on January 31. I have agreed with national coach Fausto Scotti that I will not participate in the World Championships," Aru said in a video posted on social media. 'It is only natural that I give up my place to the specialists and young athletes who have dedicated their time to this discipline.' [Aru, who competed in six events in Ancona, San Fior (Treviso), Cremona, Santa Elpidio, Lecce, and Variano di Basiliano, said after making his debut for his new team in Cremona, "I was like a kid racing for the first time. This is a sport and my passion."

"For me cyclocross was a good restart after all these difficult years. It was the experience I really needed to get a fresh start." If I could go back years, I would do it a thousand times over." [And I want to thank Team Qhubeka-Assos for allowing me to participate in various cyclocross races. It was the first time I wore their colors in a cyclocross race. I will continue my training camp with Qhubeka-Assos. I am having a great time training and meeting with them. The road season will start soon and I hope to be able to carry the number in a road race soon."