Despite an injury-interrupted year, Simon Gerrans will lead Australia at the World Championships later this month, along with Orica-GreenEDGE teammate Michael Matthews.

Gerrans in currently riding the Vuelta, while Matthews starts the Tour of Alberta in Canada later this evening. Both went well in Ponferrada last year, with Gerrans second in the lead group and Matthews finishing 12th, fifth in the sprint from the chase group.

They are supported by Aussie champ Heinrich Haussler (IAM), Adam Hansen (Lotto-Soudal), Simon Clarke, Mitch Docker and Mat Hayman (Orica), Jay McCarthy (Tinkoff-Saxo) and Rory Sutherland (Movistar).