Simon Gerrans and Mathew Hayman have both been included in the nine-man Australia squad for the World Road Race Championship which takes place in Geelong on 3 October.

The Team Sky duo are both likely to provide support for Allan Davis (Astana) and Matt Goss (HTC-Columbia) over the 248km trek from Melbourne, which is widely being tipped to end in a bunch sprint.

Stuart O'Grady (Saxo Bank), Wesley Sulzberger (FDJ), Michael Rogers (HTC-Columbia) and Baden Cooke (Saxo Bank) will also be competing on home soil, along with defending champion Cadel Evans (BMC).

Team Sky's other Aussie Chris Sutton narrowly missed out on selection, while Robbie McEwen (Katusha) and Mark Renshaw (HTC-Columbia) were also notable absentees.