Australia names Olympic contenders

Cycling Australia today named the 28 cyclists it intends to nominate to the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) for selection in its team for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.Led on the road by 2007 Tour de France runner-up Cadel Evans and Stuart O'Grady, who is participating in his fifth Olympics, the road squad will also include former world champion Michael Rogers in the time trial and Australian champion Matthew Llody and Simon Gerrans.

On the women's side, sprinter Oenone Wood will join Katherine Bates and Sara Carrigan, the defending gold medalist, for the road race.

The trackies will also see a rider in his record fifth Olympics, with Shane Kelly contesting the sprint events. He will join Ryan Bayley, the defending sprint champion, Mark French and Daniel Ellis, with Athens gold medalist Anna Meares the sole female sprint team member.

On the track endurance side, Bradley McGee, Jack Bobridge, Mark Jamieson, Luke Roberts, Graeme Brown and Brett Lancaster will contest the team pursuit, individual pursuit and points race. The Australians did not qualify a Madison team for the Games. Katie Mactier will contest the women's individual pursuit.

The athletes:
Track Sprint: Ryan Bayley, Daniel Ellis, Mark French, Shane Kelly, Anna Meares
Track Endurance: Jack Bobridge, Graeme Brown, Mark Jamieson, Brett Lancaster, Katie Mactier, Bradley McGee, Cameron Meyer, Luke Roberts
Road: Katherine Bates, Sara Carrigan, Cadel Evans, Simon Gerrans, Matthew Lloyd, Stuart O'Grady, Michael Rogers, Oenone Wood
BMX: Tanya Bailey, Nicole Callisto, Jared Graves, Kamakazi, Luke Madill
Mountain Bike: Daniel McConnell, Dellys Starr

The final selection of riders may be contingent on the outcome of any appeals lodged against non-nomination. The AOC is scheduled to confirm team selections within 48 hours of the final nomination deadline of July 4, subject to outstanding appeals.