UCI Road World Championships: David Millar to captain Great Britain team in men's road race
Last Updated: 19/09/14 2:43pm
David Millar will captain a nine-man Great Britain team also containing Chris Froome at next week’s men’s world championship road race in northern Spain.
Millar, 37, has been given the role for what will be his final race for Great Britain before retiring at the end of the season.
A squad packed with climbing talent is completed by Geraint Thomas, Peter Kennaugh, Ben Swift, Luke Rowe, Steve Cummings and twins Adam and Simon Yates.
Olympic champion Sir Bradley Wiggins and Commonwealth champion Alex Dowsett will be Britain’s two representatives in the men’s time trial, while Lizzie Armitstead will be joined in a six-rider team for the women's road race by Barnes sisters Alice and Hannah, Anna Christian, Annie Last and two-time junior world champion Lucy Garner.
'Podium contenders'
British Cycling technical director Shane Sutton said: “Across the board, we have some real podium contenders. For the men’s road race, Chris proved he’s in good shape by coming second at the Vuelta and I’m pleased David Millar will be leading the team in his last outing in Great Britain kit.
“Sir Brad showed great form at the Tour of Britain this year, winning the time trial stage, and of course Alex did a fantastic ride to win the time trial at the Commonwealth Games, so it will be interesting to see how they get on.
"Fellow Commonwealth Games champion Lizzie Armitstead has a great team around her, including two mountain bikers who should be able to support her on the reasonably hilly course.”
The 2014 UCI Road World Championships take place from September 21-28 in Ponferrada. The road races will take place on a 18.2km circuit that ends with a flat section and could result in a reduced-bunch sprint finish.
Strength in depth
The supported rider in the British men's team has not been revealed, but the course most suits Swift out of those selected.
Britain will also send strong junior and under-23 teams to the championships, with a men’s under-23 line-up containing Scott Davies, Owain Doull, Tao Geoghegan Hart, Dan McLay and Alex Peters looking particularly potent.
Sutton added: “In the younger ranks, we have had some impressive results from the under-23 riders this season, noteably Tao Geoghagen Hart and Dan McLay. We have some great opportunities at this year’s Road World Championships, and I wish the team the best of luck out there.”
The British team will be led by former British Cycling performance director Sir Dave Brailsford, who was asked to take charge after Sutton opted to remain in England to work with Britain’s track cyclists.
Great Britain’s squad
Men’s elite road race: Steve Cummings, Chris Froome, Peter Kennaugh, David Millar, Luke Rowe, Ben Swift, Geraint Thomas, Adam Yates, Simon Yates.
Men’s elite time trial: Alex Dowsett, Sir Bradley Wiggins.
Women’s elite road race: Lizzie Armitstead, Alice Barnes, Hannah Barnes, Anna Christian, Lucy Garner, Annie Last.
Under-23 men’s road race: Scott Davies, Owain Doull, Tao Geoghegan Hart, Dan McLay, Alex Peters.
Under-23 men’s time trial: Scott Davies, Jon Dibben.
Junior men’s road race: Gabriel Cullaigh, Nathan Draper, Matt Gibson, James Shaw, Steve Williams.
Junior men’s time trial: Matt Gibson.
Junior women’s road race: Megan Barker, Grace Garner, Beth Hayward, Mel Lowther.
Junior women’s time trial: Grace Garner, Mel Lowther.
