G'day cobber: Haussler will still ride for Australia

Heinrich Haussler has confirmed he still intends on riding under an Australian licence from next season. The Australian-born German has been a revelation this season, fulfilling his potential to claim a swag of sprint victories and finish second at Milano-Sanremo.

"In 2010 I'll ride for Australia. My decision is final," Haussler told Telegraaf.nl. "I have noticed that I feel more Australian than German."

Haussler announced last year he would aim to ride the 2010 UCI World Road Championships in Melbourne, Australia under an Australian licence. Some believed however Haussler might flip on the decision to ensure he rides this year's UCI World Road Championships, given the form he has displayed this year.

In order for a rider to change national licences, they must forgo two years of competing at national events - namely UCI World Championship and Olympic Games events. Haussler skipped last year's UCI World Road Championships in Italy and the Beijing Olympic Games in China and will need to skip this year's UCI World Road Championships in Copenhagen, Denmark to qualify to ride for Australia at next year's event.