USA Cycling announced its automatic nominationsto represent the U.S. at the upcoming UCI Road World Championships in Verona,Italy, September 27 - October 4.The thirteen riders named Thursdayhave until September 6 to either accept or decline their nominations.Receiving nominations to the team basedon their participation in the 2004 Olympic Games are George Hincapie, TylerHamilton, Bobby Julich, Levi Leipheimer, and Jason McCartney. Joining thefive Olympians in receiving automatic nominations are six-time Tour deFrance winner, Lance Armstrong, USPRO Champion, Fred Rodriguez and top-rankedrider in USA Cycling’s National Racing Calendar standings, Chris Horner.As Olympic medalists Hamilton and Julichalso received automatic nominations for the time trial event in Verona.Hamilton, however, has already indicated that he will not be racing atworld's.Gaining automatic nominations for thewomen’s team are Olympians Kristin Armstrong  and Christine Thorburnas a result of their top-15 finish in the road race in Athens. The thirdmember of the Olympic Team and top-ranked American rider in the UCI standings,Dede Barry also receives a nomination. Kimberly Bruckner, thanks to hertop-three finish in the
Tour de l’Aude, also gets a nominationas does NRC points leader, Tina Pic.Based on their top-five finishes inthe Olympic time trial, silver medalist Barry and Thorburn get the nodfor the time trial.
2004World Championship Automatic Nominations:
Men
GeorgeHincapie
Tyler Hamilton
BobbyJulich
Levi Leipheimer
Jason McCartney
LanceArmstrong
Fred Rodriguez
Chris HornerWomen
DedeBarry
Kristin Armstrong
Christine Thorburn
Kimberly Bruckner
TinaPic