Boom, Hoogerland earn Dutch Worlds team spot after strong Vuelta

Lars Boom and Johnny Hoogerland have used their good results at the Vuelta a España to earn a place on The Netherlands' World Championships team. The Dutch Federation announced today five of the six riders for the race next week in Mendrisio, Switzerland.

Robert Gesink, currently second overall in the Vuelta, Karsten Kroon and Koos Moerenhout will join Boom and Hoogerland. Laurens ten Dam, Sebastian Langeveld, Bram Tankink and Pieter Weening are the candidates for the final place.

Team Rabobank's Boom, 23, won the 15th stage of the Vuelta yesterday in Córdoba, the first Dutch Grand Tour stage victory since 2005. He also won the Tour of Belgium this season.

Boom is a multiple World Champion, he won the cyclo-cross title in 2008 and the Under 23 time trial in 2007.

Hoogerland, 25, rides for the Professional Continental Team Vacansoleil. He has been a familiar sight in escape groups during this year's Vuelta. In March he won the first stage of the Driedaagse van West-Vlaanderen and held on to win the overall title.

The International Cycling Union (UCI) confirmed last month the number of riders allowed for each nation. Ten nations may have the maximum number of nine riders, but nations like The Netherlands and France can only bring six. The UCI decided the numbers based on team rankings as of August 15.