Chris Froome has been named in Great Britain’s team for the forthcoming 2014 UCI Road World Championships in Ponferrada, Spain.
The 2013 Tour de France champion, who finished second behind Alberto Contador at the Vuelta a Espana earlier this month, has been named as part of a versatile nine-rider squad for the men’s road race on Sunday September 28.
David Millar, who is set to retire at the end of the season, will act as road captain in what will be the Scot’s final appearance in a Great Britain jersey.
The squad also includes Ben Swift, who could also be a protected rider should the race end in a sprint, as well as Commonwealth Games champion Geraint Thomas, Pete Kennaugh, Adam Yates, Simon Yates, Luke Rowe and Steve Cummings.
Sir Bradley Wiggins, who finished third overall at the Tour of Britain, will not contest the road race, will ride the time trial, looking to better the World Championship silver medals he won in 2011 and 2013, and will be joined by Commonwealth Games time trial champion Alex Dowsett.
Meanwhile, Lizzie Armitstead spearheads the women’s road race squad and the Olympic silver medallist will be supported by Alice Barnes, Hannah Barnes, Anna Christian, Lucy Garner and Annie Last. No female rider has been entered into the women’s elite time trial.
“I’m pleased with the teams we’ve selected for the UCI Road World Championships,” said British Cycling technical director Shane Sutton. “Across the board, we have some real podium contenders.
“Sir Brad showed great form at the Tour of Britain this year, winning the time trial stage, and of course Alex did a fantastic ride to win the time trial at the Commonwealth Games so it will be interesting to see how they get on.
“Fellow Commonwealth Games champion Lizzie Armitstead has a great team around her including two mountain bikers who should be able to support her on the reasonably hilly course.
“For the men’s road race, Chris proved he’s in good shape by coming second at the Vuelta and I’m pleased David Millar will be leading the team in his last outing in Great Britain kit.
Great Britain will also take a strong under-23 men’s squad to Ponferrada, including Tao Geoghegan Hart, who was 15th overall at the Tour of Britain, and Dan McLay, also part of the GB squad at the race and who won a stage at the Tour de l’Avenir. Madison-Genesis duo Alex Peters and Scott Davies, and An Post-ChainReaction’s Owain Doull complete the road race line-up. Davies and Jon Dibben will ride the men’s under-23 time trial.
Sutton added: “In the younger ranks, we’ve had some impressive results from the under-23 riders this season, noteably Tao Geoghagen Hart and Dan McLay. We have some great opportunities at this year’s Road World Championships, and I wish the team the best of luck out there.”
Great Britain team for the 2014 UCI Road World Championships
Men’s elite road race
Steve Cummings
Chris Froome
Pete Kennaugh
David Millar
Luke Rowe
Ben Swift
Geraint Thomas
Adam Yates
Simon Yates
Men’s elite time trial
Alex Dowsett
Sir Bradley Wiggins
Women’s elite road race
Lizzie Armitstead
Alice Barnes
Hannah Barnes
Anna Christian
Lucy Garner
Annie Last
Under-23 men’s road race
Scott Davies
Owain Doull
Tao Geoghegan Hart
Dan McLay
Alex Peters
Under-23 men’s time trial
Scott Davies
Jon Dibben
Junior men’s road race
Gabriel Cullaigh
Nathan Draper
Matt Gibson
James Shaw
Steve Williams
Junior men’s time trial
Matt Gibson
Junior women’s road race
Megan Barker
Grace Garner
Beth Hayward
Mel Lowther
Junior women’s time trial
Grace Garner
Mel Lowther
