Four WAIS Cyclists on Road World Championship Long Team

Four Western Australian Institute of Sport cyclists has been named on Cycling Australia’s long team for the 2013 UCI Road Cycling World Championships in Florence, Italy from 21-29 September.

Cameron Meyer, Luke Durbridge, Mel Hoskins and Bradley Linfield have all been earmarked for competition at this year’s peak international road event but will face stiff opposition for places.

Meyer and Durbridge are amongst a stellar 17 member squad vying for the nine road race and two individual time trial spots available. With names like Cadel Evans, Simon Gerrans, Richie Porte and Michael Rogers all in contention, sections will be tough, but with Meyer making his Tour de France debut in 2013, and Durbridge winning dual national road championship titles in January, both are in with a very good shot.

Mel Hoskins has represented Australia at both World Championship and Olympic level in track cycling, and will be hoping to add a second road world championship campaign to her career achievements after being listed in a 16 member women’s elite squad.

Hoskins is considered a sprint specialist and will be seriously considered for the women’s elite road race with Australia able to field a team of seven riders. There will also be two riders selected for the elite women’s time trial.

Rounding out the WAIS contingent in selection contention is U23 cyclist Bradley Linfield, who was a member of the Australian junior team at last year’s Road World Championships in the Netherlands.

Linfield is one Australian road cycling’s brightest young prospects and claimed an impressive win in the U23 men’s criterium in January this year at the Australian Road Championships in Ballarat.

Nine riders will take to the U23 men’s road race, with two selected for the time trial. Linfield is one of 12 athletes in contention on the current long list.

The final Australian squad for the 2013 UCI Road Cycling World Championships will be announced on September 14.