Cycling: Sergent replaces Bauer in road race team

Jesse Sergeant, left, won bronze at the London Olympics in the team pursuit. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Olympic medallist Jesse Sergent will partner Julian Dean and Hayden Roulston in Monday's road race at the world championships in the Netherlands after Jack Bauer withdrew following a "lacklustre" team time trial earlier in the championships.

Bauer, who rides professionally for Garmin-Sharp, said he felt fatigued and lacking spark during the team time trial this week.

"I had freshened up after the recent racing and thought I was coming right," Bauer said. "But I am just not back to the top of my game.

"The time trial gave me the opportunity to see where I was at, but I just didn't have the legs that you need to be a useful part of the team. So the best thing was to pull out.

"We have so many good professionals that it is much better for the team to bring in someone who can do justice to the ride. After all, it is the world championships."

Sergent said he feels close to his best form following the switch back to the road following his bronze medal effort in the team pursuit at London.

"A key was that I left even before the Olympics were over and got straight back into racing and training on the road. The last training block went really well and I feel pretty strong."

There has also been a change in the under-23 team with Tom David withdrawing on medical grounds to be replaced by Bontrager Livestrong professional, James Oram, who was 37th in the time trial.

The road races begin tomorrow with Sophie Williamson in the junior women's event.

The under-23 men (Josh Atkins, Tom Scully, James Oram) and elite women (Linda Villumsen, Emily Collins, Emma Crum, Kate Chilcott) both compete on Sunday and the elite men (Julian Dean, Hayden Roulston and Jesse Sergent) race over 261km on Monday.