USA names men's team for 'cross worlds

USA Cycling announced the names of five rides this week who will contest the elite men's race at the UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships in Hoogerheide, The Netherlands on February 1. US champion Ryan Trebon (Kona), Tim Johnson and Jeremy Powers (Cannondale/Cyclocrossworld.com) earned automatic nominations to the team as the top three Americans in the UCI rankings.

Johnson, ranked 22nd in the world, declined his nomination and will not compete.

Discretionary picks were given to Brian Matter and Matt Shriver, "based on promising performances in international events this season" according to the organisation's press release.

The US has five spots for the men's race, but with only four having accepted, there is still a possibility that 2007 silver medallist Jonathan Page will be nominated. Page missed a doping control at the World Cup round in Koksijde in late November. According to his personal web site, thejonathanpage.com, he has asked for his disciplinary hearing with the US Anti-doping Agency to be expedited. Should he be cleared or his case be concluded with a warning, he would still be eligible to compete.