Lizzie Armitstead out of road race at World Championships

Olympic silver medallist Lizzie Armitstead has pulled out of the road race at the World Championships in the Netherlands because of illness.

Britain have decided not to call up a replacement for the 23-year-old, who would have led the team on Saturday.

They will race with the disadvantage of only having five riders in the team.

Emma Pooley, who finished fourth in the time-trial, could lead the squad, while 2008 Olympic champion Nicole Cooke may be given a free role.

Saturday's race takes place over an undulating 80.2-mile (129km) course between Sittard and Valkenburg.

Armitstead won five medals at the track World Championships in 2009 and 2010 before switching her focus to road racing.

Her absence is a major blow to the team, who will also now be two riders short of the maximum allocation of seven women per team.