Aussies ready for Road Worlds as Grace Brown takes final aim at rainbows

Over the next nine days, Switzerland will be the centre of the cycling world as the best road cyclists and para-cyclists vie for the rainbow jerseys of world champion.

The ARA Australian Cycling Team brings a 30-rider squad ready to give their all at the 2024 UCI Road and Para-cycling Road World Championships in Zurich.

Olympic gold medallist Grace Brown will target the individual time trial with a dream of finishing her career in the rainbow bands, having twice finished with the silver medal. Vuelta runner-up Ben O’Connor and GP Québec winner Michael Matthews will hope to convert their recent success in the elite men’s races.

Double Paralympic champion Lauren Parker has sights on defending her H3 time trial world title, while fellow Paris Games medallist Alana Forster will also be returning to action for the first time since the Paralympics (noting Emily Petricola and Meg Lemon have withdrawn from the event since their selection).

Lauren Parker is aiming for another year in rainbows. (Ed Sykes/SWpix.com)

Australia has made two late changes to the squad. Due to illness, Callum Scotson will be replaced by Chris Hamilton in the elite men’s road race. Hamish McKenzie has been forced to withdraw from the under-23 men’s time trial after a crash in training.

Swiss organisers have put together a challenging road race: the city circuit centres on the Zürichbergstrasse (1.1km, 8%), whose maximum gradients of 15% will likely be crucial. The elite time trials feature undulating terrain that will put climbing and pacing skills to the test.

This year’s Worlds runs from September 21−29 and brings together the para-cycling and non-para events in the individual time trial, team time trial and road race.

What they said

Grace Brown, two-time silver Worlds medallist, said: “This UCI Road World Championships in Zurich is a special and significant event for me. I'm coming into the ITT as Olympic champion with high expectations to go after the rainbow jersey as well.

“It's been a long year and especially a busy few months, but I'm feeling relaxed and ready to give my best this coming week in Switzerland. On top of this, it will also be my last World Championships, since I've announced the end of my elite racing career at the conclusion of this season. For this reason, I'm looking forward to making really special memories with the Australian team.

Zurich will be Brown's last competitive appearance for Australia. (Zac Williams/SWpix.com)

“In the road race, I will be joined by a really strong climbing team to tackle the punchy circuit around Zurich. We're excited to support Neve Bradbury after a really impressive season and many WorldTour podium results. We've also got great faith in Spratty, who has twice come away with a medal at the World Championships. Backing those two up, we know the talent of Sarah Gigante could deliver a crazy performance on a course like this.

“Brodie Chapman and Ruby Roseman-Gannon will join me in the mixed TT relay and then in the road race as strong support riders, who are also capable of taking the race into their own hands. We may not be the race favourites, but with a cunning race strategy, we plan to be there in the fight for the win.”

How to watch

Australian fans can watch the 2024 UCI Road World Championships live on SBS VICELAND and SBS On Demand, which will broadcast the elite individual time trials and road races, plus the under-23 men’s road race.

ARA Australian Cycling Team

Brodie Chapman returns for her sixth Worlds. (Thomas Maheux/SWpix.com)

Elite & Under-23 Women

• Neve Bradbury* − RR
• Grace Brown − RR, ITT, TTT
• Isabelle Carnes* − ITT
• Brodie Chapman − RR, ITT, TTT
• Sarah Gigante − RR
• Ruby Roseman-Gannon − RR, TTT
• Amanda Spratt − RR

*Eligible for under-23 competition.

Elite Men

• Jack Haig − RR
• Chris Hamilton − RR
• Jai Hindley − RR
• Michael Matthews − RR, TTT
• Ben O’Connor − RR, TTT
• Nick Schultz − RR
• Michael Storer − RR
• Jay Vine − RR, ITT, TTT

Para-cycling

• Tahlia Clayton-Goodie (C2)
• Carol Cooke (T2)
• Alana Forster (C5)
• Emma Mickle (C3)
• Lauren Parker (H3)

Jay Vine will ride his first race since winning the KOM jersey at La Vuelta. (Zac Williams/SWpix.com)

Under-23 Men

• Fergus Browning − RR
• Patrick Eddy − ITT
• Alastair Mackellar − RR
• Luke Tuckwell − RR

Under-19 Women

• Lauren Bates − RR, ITT
• Emily Dixon − RR, ITT

Under-19 Men

• Alex Eaves − RR, ITT
• Max Goold − RR
• Will Heath − RR
• Wil Holmes − RR, ITT

Schedule

Individual Time Trials

Sunday, 22 September

Women C4-5 Individual Time Trial (29.9km)
10:00am CEST / 6:00pm AEST

Women Elite Individual Time Trial (29.9km)
12:00pm CEST / 8:00pm AEST 

Men Elite Individual Time Trial (46.1km)
2:45pm CEST / 10:45pm AEST

Monday, 23 September

Men Junior Individual Time Trial (24.9km)
9:15am CEST / 5:15pm AEST

Men Under-23 Individual Time Trial (29.9km)
2:45pm CEST / 10:45pm AEST

Tuesday, 24 September

Women Junior Individual Time Trial (18.8km)
8:30am CEST / 4:30pm AEST

Women C1-3 Individual Time Trial (18.8km)
11:00am CEST / 7:00pm AEST

Women H3-5 Individual Time Trial (18.8km)
11:00am CEST / 7:00pm AEST

Women T1-2 Individual Time Trial (11.3km)
4:00pm CEST / 12:00am AEST

Team Time Trial

Wednesday, 25 September

Mixed Relay Team Time Trial (53.7km)
2:00pm CEST / 10:00pm AEST

Road Races

Thursday, 26 September

Women H1-5 Road Race (38km)
9:00am CEST / 5:00pm AEST

Women Junior Road Race (73.6km)
10:00am CEST / 6:00pm AEST

Men Junior Road Race (127.2km)
2:15pm CEST / 10:15pm AEST

Friday, 27 September

Women T1-2 Road Race (31.8km)
11:00am CEST / 7:00pm AEST

Men Under-23 Road Race (173.6km)
12:45pm CEST / 8:45pm AEST

Saturday, 28 September

Women C1-3 Road Race (56.5km)
10:45am CEST / 6:45pm AEST

Women C4-5 Road Race (70.2km)
10:45am CEST / 6:45pm AEST

Women Elite Road Race (154.1km)
12:45pm CEST / 8:45pm AEST

Sunday, 29 September

Men Elite Road Race (273.9km)
10:30am CEST / 6:30pm AEST

Feature photo: Thomas Maheux / SWpix.com