Australia has revealed its team for the 2024 UCI Road World Championships in Zurich this September. Grace Brown, aiming to add a rainbow jersey to her Olympic gold medal, leads the way. Michael Matthews returns in the green and gold jersey, joining fellow Paris Olympic competitors Ben O’Connor and Ruby Roseman-Gannon, with Luke Plapp likely for the time trial if he recovers from his crash during the Olympic Games time trial, which required abdominal surgery.
In the women’s time trial, the soon-to-retire Brown will be joined by Brodie Chapman and Oceania champion Isabelle Carnes. Chapman, Brown, and Roseman-Gannon will also compete in the road race, supported by a strong squad that includes Giro d’Italia Blockhaus stage winner Neve Bradbury, Sarah Gigante, and Amanda Spratt. Spratt already boasts silver and bronze medals from World Championships road races.
Jesse Korf, convenor of the National Selection Panel, commented through an AusCycling statement, “Australian road cycling has had a lot to celebrate this year. We look forward to seeing Grace Brown contest her first, and likely last, world championships since winning the Olympic gold medal. At the other end of the scale, it’s fantastic to have young debutants on board such as Isabelle Carnes and Neve Bradbury, whom we hope will make a big impact at their first elite world championships.” Bradbury and Carnes, both Under 23 riders, will also be eligible for the world title in their category.
Photo Credit: GettyThe men’s road squad, comprising eight riders, includes Giro d’Italia winner Jai Hindley, Jack Haig, Chris Harper, Nick Schultz, Callum Scotson, and Michael Storer, alongside Olympians O’Connor and Matthews. “Our team is filled with climbing talent including multiple grand tour podiums, plus the experience of a rider like Michael Matthews, who has proven time and time again his ability to deliver results at this level,” said Korf about Matthews, who has represented Australia in 11 World Championships road races and secured podium finishes three times.
The 2024 Road World Championships will take place in Zurich from September 21-29. The courses feature significant climbing challenges, with the 154.1km women’s road race from Uster to Zurich on Saturday, September 28, including 2,384m of elevation gain. The men’s road race, covering 273.9km on Sunday, September 29, involves a gruelling 4,470m of climbing.
Australia 2024 Worlds line-ups
Women’s Road Race
- Neve Bradbury
- Grace Brown
- Brodie Chapman
- Sarah Gigante
- Ruby Roseman-Gannon
- Amanda Spratt
Women’s Time Trial
- Grace Brown
- Brodie Chapman
- Isabelle Carnes
Men’s Road Race
- Jack Haig
- Chris Harper
- Jai Hindley
- Michael Matthews
- Ben O’Connor
- Nick Schultz
- Callum Scotson
- Michael Storer
Men’s Time Trial
- Lucas Plapp
