Wednesday, 24 August 2011

Aussie squad announced for the World Championships in Copenhagen


For the cycling enthusiast, the announcement of who is, and who isn’t on the national squad for the world championships (to be held in Copenhagen) has been at the forefront of the cycling centric mind.

One notable omission is that of the reigning Tour De France winner Cadel Evans who has decided to end his season early. And rightly so, after all next year there is the defence of the tour title and Olympics in London to contend with so he needs all the rest he can accumulate before competing in two of the largest cycling events.

However for the rest of the squad it is pretty clear who is on there; O’Grady, McEwen, Cooke, Gerrans and Renshaw, there are plenty of others to name but it would exhaust the point; seems that Australia aren’t doing to bad as all rounders.

I know you’ll say I’m captain obvious for pointing this out, but Cadel is one rider, whereas other  names are also (perhaps not to the same level as Cadel) are entrenched is cycling lore and respect.

The squad goes to show a powerful mix of renown riders, and those that are up and coming.

As the team come out in the green and gold and race to hopefully a victory in the road race (and time trial for others) the world championships are a bit like a shopping catalogue; seeing the quality of some riders and seeing those expected to peak soon.

For one I know that I will be watching the Worlds, not just for the cycling and how the squad fares but also for the scenery and atmosphere. 

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