Team Australia all set for the 2012 UCI Road World Championships
With Vuelta a Espana 2012 almost the half way mark, the cycling world is all set for the biggest cycling event of the year, the UCI Road World Championships 2012.
The event will kick-off in Limburg, Holland next month and all the cycling nations have to finalise their selections by September 10, 2012.
While commenting on the coming event, Cycling Australia National Performance Director, Kevin Tabotta cited, "It's [Limburg] a solid world championship course," said Tabotta.
"The 16.5km road circuit contains two climbs each lap including the famed 1200 metre long Cauberg that boasts a six percent gradient”.
"The elite men's event also covers a hilly 100km loop prior to reaching the finishing circuits around Valkenberg so a tough day in the saddle is expected.
"We have athletes listed in the long teams for men, women and U23 men who have shown form in recent selective races and we believe we can compete with the best nations for results in both road and time trial events".
The final selections has yet to be made by the Australian Cycling authorities and it is believed that Cadel Evans might miss the chance to represent his nation at this year’s event because of his health constraints.
The 2011 Tour de France winner struggled throughout the season and will undergo a medical test in Italy and if the test goes without any complications, he might also ride the Grand Prix Cycliste de Montreal as cited by Team BMC Doctor Max Testa.
Simon Clarke is more likely to make it through the final squad after his heroic performance during the stage 4 of the Vuelta a Espana 2012.
Team Australia has been allocated the following places in each category:
Elite Men - nine riders in the road race and two in the time trial.
Elite Women - six riders in the road race and two in the time trial plus Oceania Champion in each event if selected.
U23 Men - five for the road race and two for the time trial plus Oceania Champion in each event if selected.
Junior Men - three for the road race and two for the time trial plus Oceania Champion in each event if selected.
Junior Women - four for the road race and two for the time trial plus Oceania Champion in each event if selected.
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