USA misses out on top allocation
The International Cycling Union (UCI) has announced the number of riders each nation will receive for this year's World Road Championships to be held in Italy next month. The United States of America has failed to qualify for a full nine man team, as previously calculated by Cyclingnews.com, meaning it will have to take on the top nations with just six riders.
The top 10 nations on world classification have qualified for nine rider squads - including the likes of Spain, Italy, Belgium and Australia. USA was the top nation to gain selection via the UCI America Tour, meaning it will start with six riders, as will Venezuela.
The Islamic Republic of Iran takes six positions as the top UCI Asia Tour team. Slovenia, Poland, Ukraine, Great Britain, Portugal and Demark all get six spots for their standing in the UCI Europe Tour and New Zealand takes out the only Oceania spot, giving it three places, as Australia has qualified via the world standings.
Teams with nine starters: Spain, Italy, Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, Australia, France, Switzerland, Russia and Netherlands.
Teams with six starters: South Africa, United States of America, Venezuela, Islamic Republic of Iran, Slovenia, Poland, Ukraine, Great Britain, Portugal and Demark.
Teams with three starters: Tunisia, Argentina, Colombia, Canada, Japan, Uzbekistan, Austria, Sweden, Croatia, Ireland, Hungary, Bulgaria, Slovakia, Latvia, Serbia, Estonia, Czech Republic, Finland, Norway, Kazakhstan and New Zealand.
Teams with one starter: Morocco, Cuba, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Mexico, Uruguay, Belarus and Lithuania
