Australian long teams for 2011 UCI Road World Championships

Cycling Australia today confirmed the long teams from which the Cyclones will be selected to contest the 2011 UCI Road World Championships being staged in Copenhagen, Denmark from 19 to 25 September 2011.

Cycling Australia National Performance Director, Kevin Tabotta, says the long teams give selectors a wide range of options for selection of teams that will suit the Denmark road course.

"A course like Copenhagen comes around every five years or so and is an opportunity for nations to select riders suited to a fast bunch finish," said Tabotta. "But we also have to ensure we have alternative scenarios covered as well because, for example, a cold wet race could make for a very difficult day that might see a very different race evolve."

Tabotta says no matter what the conditions he expects the Australians, who have topped the medal table at the last two Road World Championships, to again be a major force.

"Our expectations never alter, we always race for podium results," said Tabotta. "Several Australian riders in line for selection have had some excellent results already this year on courses similar to Copenhagen and the final starting list will include riders suited to specific roles but who can work together to deliver a result.

"Fast finishers, opportunists, workers, we need to get the mix right to handle how the race might unfold," he explained. "There are a few races between now and the final selection dates and we'll be looking at who is in form.

"Copenhagen might appear to be a less demanding course than some past circuits but there are no easy world titles and the riders will make it a tough and exciting week of racing."

2011 Tour de France champion, Cadel Evans, was unavailable for selection after deciding to end his season before the Championships.

"Cadel has proven he is a real competitor even on courses that might not appear to suit him so well," said Tabotta. "He was super in Geelong last year and a rider of his calibre is an asset for any team but he has had a massive year and we understand and support his decision to give himself time to recharge for 2012 when he will have both Tour de France and Olympic Games objectives."

Places Qualified

The UCI has confirmed Australia has qualified the following places for the Championships:

Elite Men - nine riders in the road race and two in the time trial
Elite Women - six riders in the road race and two in the time trial plus Oceania Champion in each event if selected
U23 Men - five for the road race and two for the time trial plus Oceania Champion in each event if selected

Long Team - Elite Men

Jack BOBRIDGE (Evaston Park SA, 13.07.1989 / Garmin Cervelo) TT
Simon CLARKE (Selby, VIC 18.07.1986 / Astana) RR
Baden COOKE (Benalla, VIC 10.12.1978 / Saxo Bank) RR
Simon GERRANS (Jamieson, VIC 16.05.1980 / Team Sky) RR
Matthew GOSS (Cressy, TAS 05.11.1986 / HTC Highroad) RR
Adam HANSEN (Edmonton, QLD 11.05.1981 / Omega Pharma Lotto) RR
Heinrich HAUSSLER (Inverell, NSW 25.02.1984 / Garmin Cervelo) RR
Mathew HAYMAN (Araluen, NSW 20.04.1978 / Team Sky) RR
Leigh HOWARD (Waurn Ponds VIC, 18.10.1989 / HTC Highroad) RR
Michael MATTHEWS (Farrer, ACT 26.09.1990 / Rabobank) RR
Robbie McEWEN (Mermaid Beach, QLD 24.06.1972 / Team Radioshack) RR
Cameron MEYER (Helena Valley, WA 11.01.1988 / Garmin Cervelo) TT
Stuart O'GRADY OAM (Unley Park, SA 06.08.1973 / Leopard Trek) RR
Richie PORTE (Hadspen, TAS 30.01.1985 / Saxo Bank) TT
Mark RENSHAW (Bathurst, NSW 22.10.1982 / HTC Highroad) RR
Rory SUTHERLAND (Canberra, ACT 08.02.1982 / United Healthcare) RR
Chris SUTTON (Sylvania, NSW 10.09.1984 / Team Sky) RR

Long Team - Elite Women

Ruth CORSET (Condon, QLD 09.05.1977 / Team Jayco AIS) RR
Tiffany CROMWELL (Upper Sturt, SA 06.07.1988 / Team Hitec Products UCK) RR
Shara GILLOW - (Belli Park, QLD 23.12.1987 / Team Jayco AIS) (Oceania RR & TT Champion) RR & TT
Rochelle GILMORE (Stanwell Tops, NSW 14.12.1981 / Lotto Honda) RR
Belinda GOSS (Devenport, TAS 06.01.1984) RR
Taryn HEATHER (Mildura, VIC 31.08.1982) TT
Joanne HOGAN (Kensington, VIC 09.06.1982) RR
Chloe HOSKING (Campbell, ACT 01.10.1990 / HTC Columbia) RR
Melissa HOSKINS (Lesmurdie, WA 24.02.1991 / Team Jayco AIS) RR
Jessie MACLEAN (Campbell, ACT 17.10.1985 / Verducci Breakaway) RR
Carla RYAN (Teneriffe, QLD 21.09.1985 / Garmin Cervelo) RR
Amanda SPRATT (Springwood, NSW 17.09.1987 / Team Jayco AIS) RR
Vicki WHITELAW (Dunlop, ACT 02.01.1977 / Lotto Honda) RR

Long Team - U23 Men

Nick AITKEN (Wonthaggi, VIC 01.01.1990 / Team Jayco AIS) RR
Alexander CARVER (Hinchinbrook, NSW 25.11.1991 / Team Jayco AIS ) RR
Rohan DENNIS (Vale Park, SA 28.05.1990 / Rabobank) RR
Luke DURBRIDGE (Bassendean, WA 09.04.1991 / Team Jayco AIS) RR & TT
Ben DYBALL (St Clair NSW 20.04.1989 / Team Jayco AIS) (Australian U23 RR Champion) RR
Michael FREIBERG (Dianella, WA 10.10.1990 / V Australia) RR
Michael HEPBURN ( Brookfield, QLD 17.08.1991 / Team Jayco AIS) RR & TT
Damien HOWSON ( Adelaide, SA 13.08.1992 / Team Jayco AIS) (Oceania TT Champion) TT
Patrick LANE ( Edithvale, VIC 29.08.1991 / Team Jayco AIS) RR
Richard LANG (Sydney, NSW 23.02.1989 / Team Jayco AIS) RR (Oceania RR Champion)
Joseph LEWIS (Gloucester, NSW 13.01.1989 / Trek-Livestrong) RR
Jay McCARTHY (Brisbane, QLD 08.09.1992 / Team Jayco AIS) RR
Thomas PALMER (Duffy, ACT 28.06.1990 / Drapac Cycling) RR
Malcolm RUDOLPH (Oakhurst, QLD 04.01.1989 / Team Jayco AIS) RR

Appeals against non-selection in the long team must be lodged no later than 5.00pm (AEST) Friday 26 August. The UCI cut of date for entry of final teams plus reserves is 2 September for all except elite men who must be entered by 12 September 2011.

Final Team - Juniors

This year junior U19 events rejoin elite and U23 events at the World Championships. The junior team was selected in June and is listed below for reference.