'High ambitions': Aussie men ready for unpredictable Worlds road race

Australia’s elite men will be aiming for nothing short of victory when they take on the world championship road race in Glasgow this Sunday.

Unpredictability is the only thing we can be sure about on a technical city circuit that features over 45 corners and is likely to be wet.

The race is 271km long, starting in the Scottish capital of Edinburgh before traversing the lowlands to Glasgow.

Upon arrival, the peloton will tackle 10 laps of a 14.2-kilometre circuit. It’s a demanding urban course that features six steep ramps, principally the 200m, 13% climb of Montrose Street, which comes just 1.5km from the finish.

It’s likely to be highly attritional as the constant battle for position will wear down the riders’ legs and minds.

The ARA Australian Cycling Team will bring a full quota of eight riders. It’s a well-rounded squad built for this kind of Classics-style race.

The experienced Simon Clarke, in his 12th Worlds appearance, can read a race scenario like few others. Joined by workhorses in Luke Durbridge, Harry Sweeney and Alex Edmondson – who replaces Robert Stannard – Australia has a strong engine room at its core.

Luke Plapp makes his second elite appearance after featuring in the breakaway last year in Wollongong. The national road champion is versatile rider that can adapt to many situations.

Matt Dinham makes his elite debut, coming in for Caleb Ewan, who has withdrawn from the race. The Sydneysider placed seventh in last year’s under-23 race and now has a Tour de France under his belt.

Fast-finishing Queenslander Kaden Groves gives the team an excellent option in the event of a sprint finish.

The squad is rounded out by Australia’s most consistent placegetter at this level, Michael Matthews. The three-time Worlds medallist has made no secret of his ambitions for the rainbow jersey.

“I’ve had second, I’ve had third, I’ve had fourth, I’ve had seventh … so I think anything less than the win will be a disappointment, let’s say,” Matthews said in an interview for his pro team sponsor.

“I think we have a super-strong team, obviously, Australia always does.

“We have a fair few options in the team, which I think is good to create different scenarios in the race. But I think at a World Championships you can never really say what’s going to happen on a course like this. It’s so unpredictable.

“I don’t think anyone knows exactly what’s going to happen, especially on a course like this. In Glasgow, it can also be wet, so that puts another factor into it. I think you have to be prepared for anything, basically. And then whatever gets thrown at you in that situation, you need to be able to deal with it.

“Hopefully it all comes together and at least one of us can pull on that jersey.”

Setting the strategy will be directeur sportif Mathew Hayman, winner of the 2016 Paris-Roubaix.

“After discussions between Caleb and team management, Caleb decided that he couldn’t be at his very best for these World Championships, and therefore he has withdrawn himself from the team,” Hayman said in a statement released today.

“While we had wanted him to be part of the team, we fully respect and support his decision.

“With our eight riders, we have a well-rounded ARA Australian Cycling Team that can support our high ambitions at these World Championships.

“In Alex and Matthew, we have two riders who come into the team after completing their first Tour de France. They have both proven to be in great form and are ready to execute the roles given to them on Sunday.”

You can watch the race live and free on SBS On Demand this Sunday from 6:30pm AEST, and on SBS VICELAND from 8:30pm AEST.

ARA Australian Cycling Team for 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships

Elite Men Road Race

• Simon Clarke
• Matthew Dinham
• Luke Durbridge
• Alex Edmondson
• Kaden Groves
• Michael Matthews
• Lucas Plapp
• Harry Sweeny

For more coverage of the ARA Australian Cycling Team at the UCI Cycling World Championships, visit our Glasgow 2023 Hub.