Dylan Theuns expressed disappointment at being left out of Bahrain McLaren's Tour de France squad.

The Belgian, who earlier this month turned down offers from other teams to extend his contract with Bahrain McLaren, said his status within the team had "risen enormously."

However, he has been overlooked at the Tour in a team built around Mikel Landa but supporting sprinter Sonny Colbrelli, who was preferred over Mark Cavendish. Pero Bilbao, Wout Poels, Damiano Caruso, and Rafael Valls will support Landa, with Marco Haller supporting Colbrelli and Matej Mohoric rounding out the team.

Tuns, who won a stage at La Planche des Belles Filles in last year's Tour, suggested that his performance at the Criterium du Dauphiné, where he finished 91st overall, led to his decision.

"I got a call on Tuesday. [Team manager] Rod Ellingworth told me that I would not be participating in the Tour. I appreciate him calling me personally. He himself is very annoyed," Theuns told Het Nieuwsblad (opens in new tab).

"The team has shown that I did not ride the Dauphiné very well. The fact that I had a problem with my back apparently didn't affect the decision. Of course, I am very disappointed."

Tüns had previously stated that he would take part in the Tour to help Landa win the overall title, but at the same time he would do it for himself if given the chance.

However, after Tirreno-Adriatico in the second week of September, he decided to adjust his plans around the Classics in October. There is a possibility of competing in the Grand Tour in the form of the Vuelta a España, but that starts just two days after the Tour de Flanders

. Not a good start to the second half of the season, but crying in the corner will get you nowhere"

.

"Hopefully a race will be held at the end of the season. The classics are a big goal. There are not many race days this year, so I don't have many opportunities to show myself. After the Dauphiné, there was no Belgian Championships, so I could not prove that I was in good shape. It's a shame because I could have been very valuable for Landa."

Bahrain McLaren did not specifically mention Tuns or Cavendish in the Tour announcement, but Ellingworth explained the general selection.

"The parcours this year suits Mikel very well and his form is strong. The group we have chosen to support him is best suited to this course and represents riders who are ready for the Tour," he said

.

." In recent months, it has been difficult for all riders to be fit for the race." It is thanks to all the riders that we have been able to select such a strong lineup.