Road World Championships: GB include Froome and Wiggins

Tour de France winner Chris Froome has been named in the Great Britain team for the Road World Championships in Italy, which start on Sunday.

Froome joins Sir Bradley Wiggins and Mark Cavendish in an eight-strong squad, with Wiggins also involved in the time trial with Alex Dowsett.

Junior world champion Lucy Garner, Lizzie Armitstead, Katie Colclough and Nikki Harris make up the women's team.

Emma Pooley has declined a place in the squad to focus on her PhD studies.

British Cycling performance director Sir Dave Brailsford said: "We have real strength and depth in the team, and it's a real boost for us to have two Tour de France winners, along with high-calibre support from the likes of Cav, Geraint, Steve and Ian.

"I'm looking forward to seeing what Lizzie can do out on the Worlds course given her great form - and I'm confident that Lucy, Katie and Nikki can give her the support she needs.

"We've got some great opportunities across the board."

Men's Elite Time Trial (Wed 25 Sep): Alex Dowsett, Sir Bradley Wiggins.

Women's Elite Road Race (Sat 28 Sep): Lizzie Armitstead, Katie Colclough, Nikki Harris, Lucy Garner.

Men's Elite Road Race (Sun 29 Sep): Mark Cavendish, Steve Cummings, Josh Edmondson, Chris Froome, Ian Stannard, Geraint Thomas, Jon Tiernan Locke, Sir Bradley Wiggins.