Mark Cavendish & Lizzie Armitstead to lead GB at world championships

Mark Cavendish is set to lead Great Britain in the elite men's road race

Mark Cavendish, Geraint Thomas and Lizzie Armitstead have all been named in Great Britain’s squad for the UCI Road World Championships later this month, but Chris Froome has not been picked.

Froome fractured his foot in a crash at the Vuelta a Espana and was not available for selection.

The world championships take place in Richmond, United States, from September 19-27, with the road races following a course that could favour sprinters.

Lizzie Armitstead recently won the UCI Women's Road World Cup

Cavendish is one of the potential leaders of the British team in the men's race, while Armitstead, who won the UCI Women's Road World Cup for the second year in succession last month, is likely to be the protected rider in the women's race.

The men's team will be completed by Ian Stannard, Ben Swift, Steve Cummings, Andy Fenn, Luke Rowe and Scott Thwaites, while Alex Dowsett will compete in the individual time trial.

Joining Armitstead in the women's team are Sky Academy Scholar Lucy Garner, Alice Barnes, Molly Weaver, Jessie Walker and Hayley Simmonds.

Owain Doull and Tao Geoghegan Hart will lead a five-strong men's under-23 team.

Great Britain team coach Iain Dyer said: "We've selected a really exciting team of riders to contest this year's road world championships.

Alex Dowsett will race in the men's elite time trial

"We have high hopes for a number of riders in terms of medal prospects, but it will also be a fantastic opportunity for some of the younger and less experienced members of the team to compete at an international event for the first time."

The women's elite time trial will take place on Tuesday, September 22, with the men's elite time trial following the next day. 

The women's elite road race will be held on Saturday, September 26, followed by the men's elite road race on Sunday, September 27.

Great Britain team for UCI Road World Championships

Elite men: Ian Stannard, Mark Cavendish, Ben Swift, Stephen Cummings, Geraint Thomas, Andy Fenn, Luke Rowe, Scott Thwaites, Alex Dowsett.

Elite women: Lizzie Armitstead, Lucy Garner, Alice Barnes, Molly Weaver, Jessie Walker, Hayley Simmonds.

Under-23 men: Owain Doull, Scott Davies, Tao Geoghegen Hart, Alex Peters, Gabriel Cullaigh.

Junior men: Nathan Draper, Joey Walker, Joe Holt.

Junior women: Lizzie Holden, Grace Garner, Abby Mae Parkinson, Ellie Dickinson.