Monday, August 5, 2024 at 9:30 AM
The Olympic road races have just finished, but the Australians are already busy with the World Championships in Zurich. The Socceroos have today revealed their selections for the World Cup finals, which will be held at the end of September. Grace Brown and Michael Matthews, among others, will travel to Switzerland.
Matthews could provide the best results for the Australian men in terms of the past World Cup. He has already finished third twice (2017 and 2022) and second once (2015). However, the course in Switzerland seems more suitable for climbers. However, Australia also has a lot of riders who are particularly good at climbing hills.
Ben O’Connor, Michael Storer, Jack Hague and Jay Hindley will start the road race on September 29. Chris Harper, Nick Schultz and Callum Scotson also make up the eight. Luke Plapp will not race the road race, but the 23-year-old will contest the time trial on September 22. Plapp was on course for a good result at the Olympic time trial in Paris, but crashed there. He underwent abdominal surgery, but the Australian federation expects him to be ready for the time trial in Zurich in a month and a half.
Brown and Bradbury
Grace Brown is one of the most eye-catching figures among the women. She was recently crowned Olympic time trial champion in Paris. The 32-year-old rider wants to end her career in style by also becoming world time trial champion in September. In addition to Brown, Brodie Chapman and promising rider Isabel Carnes will also start in Australia in the chrono trial (September 22).
Brown and Chapman will also be present on the road stage (September 28). Also playing are Sara Gigante, Ruby Roseman-Gannon, Amanda Spratt and Neve Bradbury. The latter finished third in the women's Giro d'Italia at the beginning of July and will also be a serious customer on the tough course in Switzerland.
