Recent Tour de France champion Geraint Thomas and Giro d'Italia winner Chris Froome have been named on the Great Britain cycling team longlist to compete at the UCI World Championships in Innsbruck, Austria next month.
Both Thomas and Froome have been included in the extended list for both the road race and time trial as the UK looks to secure its first men's elite road world title since Bradley Wiggins's time trial success in 2014.
Alongside the Team Sky pair, both Adam and Simon Yates (Mitchelton-Scott) have been included as potential riders for the road race, with British National Champion Connor Swift and Hugh Carthy (EF-Drapac) making this first selection too.
With a mountainous course that contains in excess of 4,000m of elevation, Great Britain should be among the favourites for victory with a pool of talent that includes seven Grand Tour victories.
The steep climb, nicknamed 'Hell', should suit the style of both Yates twins and Thomas although they will have their work cut out against the likes of Julian Alaphilippe and Alejandro Valverde.
Performance director Stephen Park commented on the strength of the longlists.
'Looking through the squads, we have such a wide and varied pool of talent – from Grand Tour winners to Olympic, world, European and national champions from across the cycling disciplines, all of whom have a lot to offer, both for themselves and for their teammates at these UCI Road World Championships,' said Park.
'I’m particularly thrilled that Geraint Thomas, Chris Froome and Simon Yates have made themselves available for selection this year, having made our country so proud in the three biggest races of the calendar.
'Innsbruck promises some challenging yet exciting racing and we will confirm our final squad selection in due course.'
Barnes sisters lead the way
The women's longlist is spearheaded by sisters, Hannah and Alice Barnes, who could ride both the road race and time trial. They will also have Dani Rowe as a potential ally ahead of the race next month.
The notable absence is former World Champion Lizzie Deignan, who is currently away from the bike as she expects the birth of her first child.
Team pursuit World Champions Charlie Tanfield and Ethan Hayter have been shortlisted for the under-23 men's team joined by Stephen Williams, who had a breakout performance at the junior Giro d'Italia earlier this year.
Another name of note is Elynor Backstedt, who has been listed for the junior women's road race and time trial, who is the daughter of 2004 Paris-Roubaix winner Magnus Backstedt.
Great Britain Elite Men’s Road Race (eight to ride)
Hugh Carthy
Mark Christian
Steve Cummings
Scott Davies
Owain Doull
Alex Dowsett
Chris Froome
Tao Geoghegan Hart
Pete Kennaugh
James Knox
Ian Stannard
Ben Swift
Conor Swift
Geraint Thomas
Adam Yates
Simon Yates
Elite Men’s Time Trial (two to ride)
Alex Dowsett
Chris Froome
Tao Geoghagen Hart
Geraint Thomas
Elite Women’s Road Race (six to ride)
Alice Barnes
Hannah Barnes
Anna Christian
Dani Christmas
Alice Cobb
Anna Henderson
Natalie Grinczer
Dani Rowe
Hayley Simmonds
Sophie Wright
Elite Women’s Time Trial (two to ride)
Alice Barnes
Hannah Barnes
Hayley Simmonds
Under-23 Men’s Road Race (five to ride)
Matt Bostock
Mark Donovan
Adam Hartley
Ethan Hayter
James Shaw
Max Steadman
Jake Stewart
Dan Tulett
Stephen Williams
Fred Wright
Under-23 Men’s Time Trial (two to ride)
Ethan Hayter
Charlie Tanfield
Junior Men’s Road Race (five to ride)
Lewis Askey
Jim Brown
Alfie George
Mason Hollyman
Joe Laverick
Will Tidball
Ben Tulett
Sam Watson
Junior Men’s Time Trial (two to ride)
Joe Laverick
Will Tidbull
Ben Tulett
Sam Watson
Junior Women’s Road Race (five to ride)
Elynor Backstedt
Anna Docherty
Isabell Ellis
Pfeiffer Georgi
Amy Monkhouse
Amelia Sharpe
Corine Side
April Tracey
Junior Women’s Time Trial (two to ride):
Pfeiffer Georgi
Elynor Backstedt