Australian team for track cycling worlds

Australia has named eight defending champions in a strong team to contest the world track cycling championships in Melbourne next month, the last major event before the London Olympics. Anna Meares, at her 10th world titles, and Kaarle McCulloch will be chasing their fourth world crown in the team sprint, while Jack Bobridge is after another double in the individual pursuit and team pursuit. Keirin world champion Shane Perkins will also line up in the sprint and in the team sprint with Scott Sunderland and Matthew Glaetzer. Australian champion James Glasspool will race the kilometre time trial. The 19-strong squad will be cut to 18 when one of the eight men named in the endurance squad is knocked out before the April 4-8 championships. Cameron Meyer and Leigh Howard have been named to defend their madison title after Meyer's successful week on the road in the Tirreno-Adriatico race in Italy for GreenEDGE. Glenn O'Shea and Mitchell Mulhern also have their last chance to impress selectors before the five-man endurance squad is named in June for the London Olympics. Ashlee Ankudinoff is back in the team after an injury-hit 2011, joining 2010 pursuit world champion Josephine Tomic. "Preparations have been going well and everyone has been working hard to be in top form for the championships," said Cycling Australia national performance director Kevin Tabotta. "To claim the rainbow jersey of world champion is a very special honour but the most important thing is for each and every member of the team to deliver their very best and I'm confident that will be the case in Melbourne." Sprint: Kaarle McCulloch, Anna Meares, Matthew Glaetzer, James Glasspool, Shane Perkins, Scott Sunderland. Endurance: Ashlee Ankudinoff, Amy Cure, Annette Edmondson, Melissa Hoskins, Josephine Tomic, Jack Bobridge, Rohan Dennis, Alexander Edmondson, Michael Hepburn, Leigh Howard, Cameron Meyer, Mitchell Mulhern, Glenn O'Shea.