Men can medal, says cycling selector

25 Aug 2010, 8:04 am   -   Source: AAP
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Australian cycling selector Shayne Bannan has defended his squad for the world road championships, which leaves out Robbie McEwen and Mark Renshaw.

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Australian cycling selector Shayne Bannan has strongly defended some contentious decisions for the world road championships, saying the host nation is a definite medal chance.
  
Australia have finalised their nine-rider team for the highest-profile event at the worlds, the men's elite road race, where Cadel Evans will start as defending champion.

Lead-out specialist Mark Renshaw joined sprinting legend Robbie McEwen as the most notable omissions from the elite men's team.

McEwen revealed his non-selection over the weekend on his Twitter account and said he was disappointed by the selectors' lack of faith in him.

"I'd say across the board it's a stronger team this year and it's a stronger team based on the course (suiting) this group more this year than last year," Bannan said on Tuesday.

"I believe we've selected a really well-balanced team and I believe we've got a number of options in there - I believe we're a definite medal chance."
  
Bannan paid tribute to McEwen and stressed he had no problem with the rider going public with his non-selection.

He told McEwen of the decision in person over the weekend.

"The conversation, as you would expect, was a difficult one," Bannan said.

"For Robbie to display his disappointment over Twitter ... he did it with honour, I have no problems."

Bannan said the selectors felt Allan Davis and Matt Goss were better options than McEwen if the race came down to a sprint.
  
Bannan, who is also Cycling Australia's national performance director, has also revealed that Evans will joined Simon Gerrans as the team's two main protected riders.

Evans is coming off the cracked elbow he suffered in the Tour de France and has also said several times he does not believe the worlds course suits him.
  
But Bannan said he had "no question mark" about whether Evans would be ready for the worlds.

The selectors also clearly think Evans is selling himself short.

Bannan said the nature of the course would suit riders who have performed well in the Ardennes one-day classics.

Earlier this year, Evans became the first Australian to win Fleche-Wallonne, one of the key Ardennes races.

Joining Evans, Gerrans, Davis and Goss in the worlds team will be Stuart O'Grady, Mat Hayman, Baden Cooke, Wes Sulzberger and Michael Rogers.
  
Those latter five riders will have support or "domestique" roles, although Bannan said a rider such as O'Grady could become a contender if the race unfolded in his favour.

Cooke is an interesting selection, but Bannan said the rider had done plenty of strong support work earlier this season for his Saxo Bank professional team.
  
Rising star Richie Porte will join Rogers as Australia's two starters in the men's individual time trial.

Melbourne will host the worlds from September 29 to October 3, with the men's elite road race on the final day.

 

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