Froome back on the road for World Championships

Froome became the first British rider to win the Vuelta and the third person in history to win both the Tour de France and the Vuelta in the same year on Sunday and will now compete in the time trial at the World Championships, which begin on September 17. Lizzie Deignan will lead the charge in the women's road race as the 28-year-old, having recently recovered from an appendectomy, looks to regain the title she won in 2015. Deignan will be supported by the likes of Elinor Barker and Hannah Barnes – both of whom will also compete in the time trial. Mark Cavendish and Geraint Thomas withdrew themselves from selection for the Championships, but Olympic team pursuit gold medallists Pete Kennaugh and Owain Doull will get the chance to step up and fill the void in the road race. Despite such absences, British Cycling head coach Iain Dyer was glad to have had so many riders to choose from at the end of a tough season on the road. "Selection for this year's road world championships was a difficult one due to the depth of talent we have in Great Britain across the board, which is a good position to be in," he said. "I'm delighted to see Chris Froome wishing to finish his season in Great Britain Cycling Team colours after another fantastic year for him and I'm looking forward to seeing him in action on a course which suits his strengths. "Equally, I'm pleased to see Lizzie selected for the women's road race following her recent illness. "Lizzie will be supported by a full-strength women's team which is testament to how much women's cycling is growing in this country in general, but also the investment we have made in developing our best female road riders. "There are some notable omissions from the squad, such as Mark Cavendish and Geraint Thomas, which is unfortunate but understandable. "We are coming to the end of a long season for the road riders and injury and illness becomes inevitable so their decisions to withdraw themselves from selection are respected."

Sportsbeat 2017