AFTER impressive bids on the bike this year, Inverell’s Heinrich Haussler has been chosen to represent Australia in the Elite Men’s cycling team for the 81st UCI Road World Championships this Sunday.
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The championships are held in and around Ponferrada, Spain from September 21-28.
Haussler rides with the Swiss IAM cycling team and his performance this year has drawn attention.
The 30-year-old with a penchant for sprinting captured a podium spot number two in the stage 15 of this year’s Tour de France, in addition to a second top 10 finish.
He performed well in the Tour of Bavaria, taking first in stage one, and followed that up with a fifth and sixth place.
Haussler’s three top 10 finishes in the recent Tour of Britain likely sealed the deal for his spot in the Australian team.
Haussler joins a team of nine riding against about 80 national teams.
Victorian Simon Gerrans is tipped as the best chance for an Australian finish, and he is backed by 2011 Tour de France winner Cadel Evans and other elite riders including Haussler, who will create team depth and the chance for victory.
Evans won the Road Championships in 2009.
Haussler’s father, Heinrich Haussler, said the family is thrilled their son has made the team.
“We are very happy and proud that first of all he was selected amongst a lot of very good riders and that he can represent Australia in this year’s World Championships,” Haussler senior said.
“It’s going to be a tough and long ride but that is his strength; the longer the better.”
Haussler’s father agreed the men chosen would be a good machine for an Aussie result.
“Simon Gerrans will most likely be the team leader on a course that is tailor-made for him.
“We are sure that Heinrich will be a reliable part of the engine room that delivers Gerrans to the finish,” he said.
“Will be a long night on Sunday, September 28 at the Hausslers. Let’s hope Australia will bring it home.”