September 2, 2004 – USA Cycling announced today the elite men and women that received automatic nominations to represent the U.S. at the upcoming UCI Road World Championships in Verona, Italy, Sept. 27 – Oct. 4. The thirteen-rider roster, which includes eight men and five women, has until Sept. 6 to either accept or decline their nominations.

Receiving nominations to the team based on their participation in the 2004 Olympic Games are George Hincapie (Greenville, S.C.), Tyler Hamilton (Marblehead, Mass.), Bobby Julich (Glenwood Springs, Colo.), Levi Leipheimer (Santa Rosa, Calif.), and Jason McCartney (Coralville, Iowa). Joining the five Olympians in receiving automatic nominations are six-time Tour de France winner, Lance Armstrong (Austin, Texas), USPRO Champion, Fred Rodriguez (Emeryville, Calif.), and top-ranked rider in USA Cycling’s National Racing Calendar standings, Chris Horner (Bend, Ore.).

Additionally, Olympic medalists Hamilton and Julich also received automatic nominations for the time trial event in Verona.

Gaining automatic nominations for the women’s team are Olympians Kristin Armstrong (Boise, Idaho) and Christine Thorburn (Davenport, Iowa) as a result of their top-15 finish in the road race in Athens. The third member of the Olympic Team and top-ranked American rider in the UCI standings, Dede Barry (Boulder, Colo.), also receives a nomination. Kimberly Bruckner (Boulder, Colo.), thanks to her top-three finish in the Tour de l’Aude, also gets a nomination as does NRC points leader, Tina Pic (Dahlonega, Ga.).

Based on their top-five finishes in the Olympic time trial, silver medalist Barry and Thorburn get the nod for the time trial.

2004 World Championship Automatic Nominations:

Men: George Hincapie, Tyler Hamilton, Bobby Julich, Levi Leipheimer, Jason McCartney, Lance Armstrong, Fred Rodriguez, Chris Horner

Women: Dede Barry, Kristin Armstrong, Christine Thorburn, Kimberly Bruckner, Tina Pic