Durbridge Selected to Support Matthews’ Ride for Gold

Western Australian road cyclist Luke Durbridge has been selected for the 2017 UCI Road World Championships to be held in Bergen, Norway starting September 16. 

Durbridge and the elite men’s road race team have been tasked with supporting recent Tour de France green jersey winner Michael Matthews whom the Australian set-up hope can ride for a shot at world championship gold.

The 26 year-olds’ own Tour de France campaign was cut short after a heavy fall on the opening prologue in Dusseldorf. However, the Bassendean product has return to full fitness and will play a lead role in assisting the Australian team as they seek to return a medal winning performance in Norway. 

An experienced team of Mathew Hayman, Simon Clarke, Rory Sutherland, Heinrich Haussler, Mitchell Docker, Jay McCarthy and debutant Jack Haig will join Durbridge as they attempt to position Matthews with the best possible chance for line honours in the men’s road race set to be contested on September 24.

National High Performance Director Simon Jones believes the nine-strong men’s road race squad can deliver a strong performance over a 276.5km course that is well-suited to Matthews’ strengths.

“These selections are all made with performance perspectives in mind,” Jones said.

“The men’s team is focused on providing Michael Matthews 100% commitment in the road race and we believe we have prioritised selections to ensure the best possible outcome on race day.”

Western Australia will also field two riders in the U23 men’s squad with Michael Storer and Jai Hindley both selected to compete.

Both men have rode at world championship level in the past, with Storer an U19 time trial bronze medallist at the 2014 titles in Spain.

Their selection comes a week after the duo were announced as 2018 Pro-Team signings for the Sunweb road team.