Tour de France winner Chris Froome’s goal of winning the world road race championship will depend on what level of form he can reach by Sunday of next week, but in terms of team backing the Sky rider has been confirmed as having strong support.
British Cycling announced the lineup of the men’s and women’s squads today, and current Tour of Britain race winner Bradley Wiggins has been named as part of the lineup which will support Froome.
The two have had a tense relationship at times but Wiggins said in recent days that he would do a professional job and help the younger rider in Florence.
Last year’s Tour of Britain winner Jonathan Tiernan Locke will also be on the team; he has had a difficult first year with Team Sky, as he detailed last month, but is hoping to show better legs in Italy.
Tour de France stage winner Mark Cavendish will also be on the squad. While he is very much a sprinter rather than a climber, he will play an important role early on, with his bunch positioning likely to be of assistance to Froome.
The lineup is completed by Steve Cummings, Josh Edmondson, Ian Stannard and Geraint Thomas. National TT champion Alex Dowsett and Wiggins will do the time trial earlier in the week, with Wiggins seen as one of the medal favourites.
“We’ve now been able to make our final selections for both the elite men’s and women’s road races, and I’m pleased with the teams we’ve entered,” said British Cycling’s performance director Dave Brailsford.
“Both Bradley and Alex have shown great time trial form this season and I know both of the guys are up for this competition.
“Looking at the men’s road race team, we have real strength and depth in the team, and it’s a real boost for us to have two Tour de France winners in there along with high-calibre support from the likes of Cav, Geraint, Steve and Ian.”
Olympic road race silver medallist Lizzie Armitstead will captain the four-person women’s team, and will receive backing from Katie Colclough, Nikki Harris and Lucy Garner, the double junior world champion.
Emma Pooley, who would normally have thrived on such a tough course, indicated that she would be unable to take part due to her intention to complete her PhD studies. She has focussed largely on that work this year, taking a step back from top level competition.
Armitstead’s results this year include victory in the British road race championships and second on stages of the Thuringen Rundfarht, the Route de France and the Holland Ladies’ Tour plus third overall in the latter.
Brailsford believes she can be a big factor on the selective course in Italy.
“I’m looking forward to seeing what Lizzie can do out on the Worlds course given her great form at the minute, and I’m confident that Lucy, Katie and Nikki can give her the support she needs.”
He added that he believed the junior team –particularly Tao Geoghegan Hart – could fare well in that race.
As for the under 23 selection, that will be finalised after the Tour of Britain. However the impressive stage win by Simon Yates on today’s sixth stage bodes very well.
Brailsford suggests that there is a strong determination amongst the riders to do something there. “I know the squad are keen to round off a fantastic season for the Yates brothers,” he said.
“Overall, the whole team is really looking forward to getting stuck in to the racing out in Italy. We’ve got some great opportunities across the board.”
Men’s Elite Road Race:
Mark Cavendish
Steve Cummings
Josh Edmondson
Chris Froome
Ian Stannard
Geraint Thomas
Jon Tiernan Locke
Bradley Wiggins
Men’s Elite Time Trial:
Alex Dowsett
Bradley Wiggins
Women’s Elite Road Race:
Lizzie Armitstead
Katie Colclough
Nikki Harris
Lucy Garner