Cervélo Test Team rider Heinrich Haussler has conceded defeat in his battle to recover from injury in time to be a factor in this year’s world championships, and has given up his hopes of being included on the squad.
The nine-man team was announced earlier today and he is one of several notable absentees. Also missing is Giro d’Italia star Richie Porte (Team Saxo Bank), sprinter and leadout rider Mark Renshaw plus his HTC Columbia team-mate Adam Hansen.
Robbie McEwen was also left off the list, although he learned of his exclusion several days ago.
The nine names set to take part in the Melbourne/Geelong race are defending champion Cadel Evans (BMC Racing), Baden Cooke (Saxo Bank), Allan Davis (Astana), Simon Gerrans and Matthew Hayman (both Team Sky), Matt Goss and Michael Rogers (both HTC Columbia), Stuart O’Grady (Saxo Bank) and Wesley Sulzberger (Française des Jeux).
Porte will get the nod for the time trial, and will be joined in that event by triple world champion Rogers.
Renshaw is, like the other riders, disappointed to be left out of the squad. He was first and third on stages of the Tour of Denmark earlier this month and is regarded as one of the best leadout men in cycling. He fully expected to be included. “I didn't make the selection for Worlds road race,” he said on Twitter. “Very disappointed to not race on home turf and a little surprised at their selection.”
He vowed to make sure it didn’t happen again. “Looking forward to racing and trying to win Comm Games RR. Next years objective [is] to be the sprinter in Denmark. Promising more results in 2011.”
While those named are all respected riders, the inclusion of some over others will be debated. Renshaw and Porte have had better seasons than Cooke, for example, while McEwen’s first, second and fifth on stages of the Eneco Tour plus his previous worlds placings of second and fifth convinced many he would be part of the lineup.
The selectors will justify the lineup on the basis of how the whole team is expected to work together, but debate will still rage. The early selection of the team is also unusual, as most other countries will wait several weeks before eliminating riders from the list of possible entrants.
Haussler said however that he didn’t think he would be ready due to the injuries he has suffered this year. He had a knee operation several weeks ago and while he is back training, he realises that he simply won’t have the form to do himself justice.
“If I were to go to the start line at the World Championships, I would want to be 100% in shape and able to ride for the victory,” he said in a Cervélo Test Team press release. “This will unfortunately not be possible for me. It would have been a dream to start on home soil but I am not ready yet. My main focus is now already on next season, where I want to perform well again in my favourite spring Classic races.”
He is hoping to return to competition this autumn. Haussler previously competed under a German licence, but changed to Australian status earlier this year.
The long team for elite women was also listed by Cycling Australia, with the final selection for that squad not due to take place until September 14th. Those in the running are the following:
Ruth Corset (Condon, Qld 09.05.1977 / Tibco)
Tiffany Cromwell (Upper Sturt, Sa 06.07.1988 / Lotto Ladies Team)
Shara Gillow - (Belli Park, Qld 23.12.1987)
Rochelle Gilmore (Stanwell Tops, Nsw 14.12.1981 / Lotto Ladies Team)
Amber Halliday (Norwood, Sa 13.11.1979)
Chloe Hosking (Campbell, Act 01.10.1990 / HTC Columbia)
Emma Mackie (Jindera, Nsw/ Rep Qld 09.09.1984)
Rachel Neylan - (Adelaide, Sa 09.03.1982)
Bridie O'donnell (Jan Juc, Vic 29.04.1974 / Valdarno) Oceania Time Trial Champion
Alexis Rhodes (Henley Beach, Sa 01.12.1984) Oceania Road Race Champion
Carla Ryan (Teneriffe, Qld 21.09.1985 Cervelo Test Team)
Amanda Spratt - (Springwood, Nsw 17.09.1987)
Carlee Taylor - (Happy Valley, Sa 15.02.1989)
Vicki Whitelaw (Dunlop, Act 02.01.1977 / Lotto Ladies Team)
Six riders will take part in the road race, and two in the time trial. Oceania champions O’Donnell and Rhodes are also eligible for inclusion, if selected.
The U23 men's team was previously announced, and is as follows:
Nick Aitken (Wonthaggi, Vic 01.01.1990 / Jayco-Skins)
Luke Durbridge (Bassendean, Wa 09.04.1991 / Jayco-Skins)
Joseph Lewis (Gloucester, Nsw 13.01.1989 / Drapac)
Michael Matthews (Farrer, Act 26.09.1990 / Jayco-Skins) Oceania Road Race Champion
Timothy Roe (Hallett Cove, Sa 28.10.1989 / Trek-Livestrong)
Malcolm Rudolph (Oakhurst, Qld 04.01.1989 / Jayco-Skins)
Time Trial:
Rohan Dennis (Vale Park, Sa 28.05.1990 / Team Jayco-Skins)
Luke Durbridge (Bassendean, Wa 09.04.1991 / Team Jayco-Skins)
Michael Matthews (Farrer, Act 26.09.1990 / Team Jayco-Skins) Oceania Time Trial Champion)
Five espoir riders will go in the road race, and two in the time trial. The Oceania champion Matthews can also be included in the team, on the basis of his titles in road race and time trial.