Hammond wants-in on British Worlds team

Cervélo's Roger Hammond is hopeful that he will be part of the British team for the World Championships, when the squad is announced on Friday. Third and seventh on earlier stages of the Vuelta a España and now over two thirds of the way through the his debut Grand Tour, Hammond said he was looking forward to a possible call-up to Britain's nine-man team.

"I think I'll go to Mendrisio but I'm not sure - they are not picking the team until Friday," he said. "But I hope I am there."

Hammond was named as part of Britain's long list for the World Championships last month. He was also one of thirteen riders on the list to attend a two-day training camp at the site of this year's World Championships in Mendrisio, Switzerland.

British Cycling will announce its final nine-man road team and two time trial representatives on Friday, September 18. Bradley Wiggins confirmed last week that he will fill one of the time trial spots, but would forego a position on the road team, which is expected to be led by David Millar.

"It's likely that David [Millar] will lead the team," said Hammond. "Originally it was going to be Dave and Brad [Wiggins], but Brad has pulled out. That means it's just Dave [as team captain], or possibly a very good Steve Cummings."

With six stages of the Vuelta to come, Hammond said that the race so far had not been particularly different to his expectations."It's been all right, not too bad. It's not really different than I thought. When have you are a pro for so many years and you have been talking to guys about the Grand Tours, you hear all the stories. I have just settled into a routine, really."

That routine will continue until Sunday, when the peloton races into Madrid and completes what will almost certainly be a bunch sprint. Hammond will then have a few days to recover before the world championships. The big question is if he will see a jump in form as a result of riding the Vuelta.

"I don't know, that is something that I will have to see afterwards," he said. "They always say that it is either one way or the other. It either kills you for the rest of the year or else brings your form on. I guess that is what happens in the last week and how you come out of it."

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