A ten-strong men’s team has been selected following an outstanding 2016 season which saw Australian riders claim 60 wins across the world including 12 on the World Tour.
Headlining the team is two of Australia’s young guns in 2015 road race silver medallist and former under 23 world champion Michael Matthews (ACT), plus Caleb Ewan (NSW) himself a silver medallist in both the under 19 and 23 categories.
The team is littered with experience with Paris-Roubaix winner Mathew Hayman (ACT), Grand Tour strongman Adam Hansen (QLD) and Mitchell Docker (VIC).
Mark Renshaw (NSW) and Heinrich Haussler (NSW) add their expertise in racing in Qatar and tactical knowledge in a bunch sprint, while Zak Dempster (VIC) earns his first selection.
Former under 23 world champion and Rio Olympian Rohan Dennis (SA) will line up in the time trial, with Luke Durbridge (WA) is set to line up in both the time trial and road race.
With Australia claiming more than 20 wins – including five at the World Tour level – in the women’s peloton in 2016, Australia’s seven-rider team is packed with talent.
Chloe Hosking (ACT) has six wins in 2016, including La Course and a stage at the Giro Rosa as well as a being prolific podium finisher at the Ladies Tour of Qatar.
Reigning national time trial champion Katrin Garfoot (QLD) recently claimed a win in the Chrono Champenois and a top ten in the Olympic time trial.
Rio Olympian Gracie Elvin (ACT) and Tiffany Cromwell (SA) have both had success at the Tour of Qatar and bring strength to the team with Loren Rowney (QLD) and Lauren Kitchen (NSW) adding further experience.
Sarah Roy (NSW) makes her World Championship debut after claiming her first win in Europe at the Boels Rental Ladies Tour.
An eight member under 23 squad has been named, however this will be trimmed following the Olympia’s Tour, which begins on September 27.
The squad includes Lucas Hamilton (VIC), Jai Hindley (WA) and Michael Storer (WA) who have represented Australia at under 19 level, plus Nicholas Schultz (QLD) who recently claimed a stage win at the Tour de l’Avenir.
Callum and Miles Scotson (SA), who boast the past two time trial national titles, have secured their spot in the race against the clock, but will be vying for a road race position.
Jason Lowndes (VIC) and Alexander Porter (SA) will look to earn their first road world championship selection.
Announced in July the six member under 19 team consists of Harry Sweeny (QLD) who lines up for his second World Championships, with Macgregor Carter (VIC), Alastair Christie-Johnston (VIC), Madeleine Fasnacht (TAS), Jaime Gunning (QLD) and Chloe Moran (SA)all making their debut.
TEAM AUSTRALIA
MEN
- Zak DEMPSTER (VIC)
- Rohan DENNIS (SA) – Time Trial
- Luke DURBRIDGE (WA) – Time Trial & Road Race
- Mitchell DOCKER (VIC)
- Caleb EWAN (NSW)
- Adam HANSEN (QLD)
- Heinrich HAUSSLER (NSW)
- Mathew HAYMAN (ACT)
- Michael MATTHEWS (ACT)
- Mark RENSHAW (NSW)
WOMEN
- Tiffany CROMWELL (SA)
- Gracie ELVIN (ACT)
- Katrin GARFOOT (QLD) – Time Trial & Road Race
- Chloe HOSKING (ACT)
- Lauren KITCHEN (NSW)
- Loren ROWNEY (QLD)
- Sarah ROY (NSW)
MEN’S UNDER 23
- Lucas HAMILTON (VIC)
- Jai HINDLEY (WA)
- Jason LOWNDES (VIC)
- Alexander PORTER (SA)
- Nicholas SCHULTZ (QLD)
- Callum SCOTSON (SA) – Time Trial
- Miles SCOTSON (SA) – Time Trial
- Michael STORER (WA)
Final team to be confirmed closer to the Championships.
UNDER 19
- Macgregor CARTER (VIC)
- Alastair CHRISTIE-JOHNSTON (VIC)
- Harry SWEENY (QLD)
- Madeleine FASNACHT (TAS)
- Jaime GUNNING (QLD)
- Chloe MORAN (SA)
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Original Article can be found here.