ARA Australian Cycling Team names stacked squad for 2026 UCI Road World Championships

The headline, Sarah Gigante is back! After a season disrupted by injury, she's slotting into the elite women's road race alongside Georgia Baker and Lauretta Hanson, who is also riding the individual time trial. It's an emotional selection too, with Amanda Spratt set to race her 13th and final Worlds before retiring. Brodie Chapman is sitting this one out for personal reasons.

On the men's side, Ben O'Connor and Michael Matthews (his 14th Worlds road race) lead the line for the ARA Australian Cycling Team, joined by Jai Hindley, Jack Haig, Michael Storer and 22-year-old debutant Luke Tuckwell. Olympic gold medallist Conor Leahy is in for the individual time trial. Unfortunately, Jay Vine and Sebastian Berwick are both out through illness.

The next generation is looking sharp too. U23 standouts Mackenzie Coupland, Felicity Wilson-Haffenden, Cameron Rogers and Jack Ward have all been in great form heading in, plus a Worlds debut for Sophia Sammons.

And of course, all eyes are on the mixed relay team time trial. The ARA Australian Cycling Team has won it two years running, and the squad will be aiming to make it three.

The full ARA Australian Cycling Team:

Elite Women: Georgia Baker, Sarah Gigante, Lauretta Hanson*, Amanda Spratt

Elite Men: Jack Haig, Jai Hindley, Michael Matthews, Ben O'Connor, Michael Storer, Luke Tuckwell, Conor Leahy†

Under 23 Women: Talia Appleton, Mackenzie Coupland*, Emily Dixon, Sophia Sammons*, Tully Schweitzer, Felicity Wilson-Haffenden*

Under 23 Men: Will Heffernan, Wil Holmes*, Cameron Rogers*, Oliver Sims, Jack Ward, Thomas Waites†

Junior Women: Chloe Bowen*, Annie Kleywegt, Megan Moore*, Neve Parslow*

Junior Men: Benjamin Coates, Alistair Forsyth*, Ollie Jirovec*, Lachlan Stewart*, Connor Wright

*Road Race and Individual Time Trial · †Individual Time Trial only