National coach Jenaro Leguizamo has whittled the number of potential Colombian participants in the world championships down from 17 to 10. Spearheaded by Nairo Quintana (Movistar), Sergio Henao (Sky), Rigoberto Uran (Sky) and Carlos Betancur (Ag2r), the South American country is likely to boast one of the strongest line-ups for the race.

On the back of a very successful season, Colombia will line-up at the world championships road race with one of the strongest teams. Having earned the right to field the maximal number of 9 riders, the country boasts a number of fabulous climbers that are perfectly suited to the very hilly course in Florence.

National coach Jenaro Leguizamo has now come a little closer to finalizing his selection. Of the 17 riders that were originally in contention, only 10 remain and the squad shapes up to be a formidable one.

The roster is likely to be spearheaded by Nairo Quintana, Rigoberto Uran, Sergio Henao and Carlos Betancur. On Tuesday, Quintana arrived in Europe after a mid-season break spent in his native Colombian and will ride the Tour of Britain next week. The latter three are all riding the Vuelta but haven't had the kind of success they had hoped. Uran lost his GC possibilities in the Andorran cold while Henao has never found his best legs. Betancur arrived at the race short of form and illness has prevented him from reaching his best level.

The four main riders will be joined by 5 riders who will be chosen from a list that includes Winner Anacona, Miguel Angel Rubiano, Janier Acevedo, Rafael Infantino, Cayetano Sarmiento and Darwin Atapuma. Anacona and Sarmiento are both riding the Vuelta while Rubian has shown solid condition in the Italian one-day races. Acevedo recently won the queen stage of the USA Pro Challenge and has been riding well in all the biggest North American races. Atapuma was riding well in August when he won a difficult stage in the Tour de Pologne but has since been hampered by injuries sustained in a crash in the Tour de l'Ain. Being the least known rider, Infantino won two stages in the Vuelta a Colombia in June.

From the original long list, 7 riders have missed out on selection. Fabio Duarte, Robinson Chalapud, Jarlinson Pantano, Leonardo Duque, Alex Cano, Jose Serpa and Julian Arredondo won't get the chance to wear their national colours in Florence later this month.

The road race will take place on September 29.