MALVERN’S Evie Richards has been selected in Great Britain’s squad to compete in the UCI Cyclo-Cross World Championships in Luxembourg later this month.
Reigning under 23 world champion Richards will line up for her country once again looking to defend the crown she won so gloriously 12 months ago in Belgium.
She will be joined on the start line by fellow British riders Ffion James and Amira Mellor at the January 28/29 event.
Richards enjoyed a year to remember in 2016, which ended in her winning British Cycling’s Ride of the Year award.
She has already started 2017 in style by finishing first in her age category at the National Cyclo-Cross Championships in Bradford earlier this month.
Last year saw Richards decimate the field in challenging conditions at Circuit Zolder, taking the lead from Italy’s Chiara Teocchi at the end of the first lap and going for a long solo bid for victory.
Recently crowned national champions Ian Field and Nikki Brammeier will line up to represent Great Britain in the elite categories, along with Hannah Payton and Helen Wyman.
Men’s under 23 national champion Billy Harding will start in the elite event.
British Cycling’s head coach Iain Dyer said: “We have selected a strong Great Britain team for the UCI Cyclo-Cross World Championships this year, with some real potential across the categories.
“It’s great to see both Nikki Brammeier and Helen Wyman return from injury to represent the team once again.
“Evie can be proud as she has done the rainbow stripes justice this year. Similarly Tom Pidcock has had a fantastic season and both the under 23 and junior squads possess some real podium potential.
“Developing talented riders is at the heart of British Cycling’s Rider Route and, whilst the results are important, so too is making the most of the development opportunities which competing at World Championship level presents.”