One Spot Remaining for US World Championship Team in Varese, Italy

In looking at the USA Cycling website, I found out that five of the six bids for the world championships are already determined, as any rider that competed in the 2008 Olympic road race receives an automatic invite to the world's. That means that Leipheimer, Hincapie, Zabriskie, Vande Velde and McCartney are in so far for the US, while one wild card slot remains.

Also on the USA site, it states that "The winner of the 2008 US National PRO Road Race Champion provided that race is held in its entirety and run under UCI regulations." Unfortunately, this past weekend's national road race was not held under the auspices of the UCI, which is a shame for Tyler Hamilton, who doesn't have a prayer of being selected as a wild card by our nation's governing body.

But who does have a shot to receive the invite amongst today's elite American pros? Certainly not Chris Horner, who has been snubbed for decades by USA Cycling. And probably not Fred Rodriguez, who rides for the controversial Rock Racing team. More likely a lesser known, younger rider will be chosen to go. My gut tells me that Columbia's Craig Lewis will get the nod, so that George Hincapie has a teammate on his side in Varese. Either way though, it will be a shame that our current national champ won't get to show himself on the world stage.

With the above contingent, does the US have a chance of competing in Verese for the win on the road? The answer must be absolutely not! Unfortunately, the team composition doesn't lend itself well to a one day race. Levi is an excellent stage racer, but he's not as well known for his one day riding. Same for Vande Velde. Zabriskie can time trial, but he has never shown himself capable of winning a one day race. And McCartney simply can't hang with the world's best in a race the magnitude of the world championship.

Which leaves Big George. The Columbia veteran can get it done in one day races, but not without support. If each of his teammates works hard for him he may be in with a shot, but it would take perfect circumstances for Hincapie to find himself with a chance to win at the end of the race. As in past years, it is looking as though the US will be relegated to also-ran in a world championship race.

Of today's prominent pros, why can't Danny Pate get a shot at world's? He won the U23 road title, and is riding good form coming out of the national championships in Greenville, SC. Another that deserves to be considered is BMC's Jeff Louder. He finished an impressive 5th at the US Pro's and has good climbing skills. It would be nice to give the domestic veteran a chance for glory overseas. And even though the riders above deserve to get a shot, it would be nice to see another Lance Armstrong or Greg Lemond come along to galvonize the US cause in world championship contests.