7 world champions in Aussie cycling squad for Delhi CWG

Melbourne: Seven world champions are part of cycling powerhouse Australia`s 27-strong team, announced on Thursday for the October Commonwealth Games in Delhi.

The 2004 Olympic and reigning Commonwealth Games champion Anna Meares, and defending men`s road race champion Mathew Hayman are in the squad. Australia finished on top in the cycling medals tally the last time around with six gold, two silver and two bronze medals. For the track event, world champions Ashlee Ankudinoff (teams pursuit), Kaarle McCulloch (team sprint), Meares (500m time trial and team sprint), Josephine Tomic (teams pursuit), Jack Bobridge (teams pursuit), Michael Hepburn (teams pursuit), and three-time champion at this year`s world titles Cameron Meyer (teams pursuit, points race and madison) have been pencilled into the squad. 18-year-old world junior 3000m record holder Dale Parker is the youngest member of the men`s team. At 27, two-time world cup keirin silver medallist Jason Niblett will be the oldest track cyclist in the squad. Australian Commonwealth Games Association CEO Perry Crosswhite said the cycling team will again be expected to return with a bagful of medals. "The weight of seven current world champions is huge and the recent performances of the Australian track team will mean we enter the Delhi Commonwealth Games in a strong position and as a feared unit by competing nations," Crosswhite was quoted as saying. "We know the nation loves to watch Anna Meares compete in the Australian colours and we hope she can add to her already full set of Commonwealth Games medals," he added. The team: Australia - Men`s Track: Daniel Ellis, Jason Niblett, Shane Perkins, Scott Sunderland, Jack Bobridge, Michael Freiberg, Michael Hepburn, Cameron Meyer, Travis Meyer, Dale Parker. Men`s Road: Allan Davis, Mathew Hayman, Richie Porte, Mark Renshaw, Chris Sutton. Women`s Track: Kaarle McCulloch, Anna Meares, Emily Rosemond, Ashlee Ankudinoff, Megan Dunn, Belinda Goss, Josephine Tomic. Women`s Road: Ruth Corset, Rochelle Gilmore, Chloe Hosking, Carly Light, Alexis Rhodes. PTI