British Cycling has announced the riders that will represent the Great Britain Cycling Team at the downhill and four cross UCI Mountain Bike World Championships in Val di Sole Trentino, Italy from 6-11 September.

Rachel Atherton will be aiming to win back-to-back world titles and claim her fourth world championship overall in a year which has seen her dominate the sport, winning 12 successive UCI Downhill Mountain Bike World Cups. She is joined in the event by 2014 world champion Manon Carpenter and 2014 bronze medallist Tahnee Seagrave.

In the men’s downhill event, Danny Hart, winner of the last two world cups is part of a strong men’s downhill squad that also includes 2014 world champion Gee Atherton.

They are joined by Josh Bryceland, a bronze medallist in 2015 and Laurie Greenland, the 2015 junior world champion. The Great Britain Cycling Team will also have representatives in the men’s and women’s junior events.

In the four cross events Luke Cryer will be looking to go one better than the silver medal he won at the 2015 world championships, while Natasha Bradley and Hannah Escott will compete in the elite women’s race.

Great Britain Cycling Team mountain bike downhill and four cross co-ordinator, Michael Vickers said: “We have selected a big team for the world championships and we have high hopes for medals across a number of different events.

“Rachel Atherton has been in incredible form over the past 12 months but she will have real competition on her hands from her teammates Manon Carpenter and Tahnee Seagrave.

“The men’s race should also be incredibly competitive with a number of riders in with a medal shout and I’m looking forward to seeing how Laurie Greenland makes the step up from junior to elite competition this year. Luke Cryer also has a real opportunity to medal after his excellent performance at last year’s world championships.

“This event represents a great chance for the team to enjoy plenty of success.”

Great Britain Cycling Team for 2016 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships

Mountain bike four cross

Elite men

Scott Beaumont
Luke Cryer
Duncan Ferris
Alex Metcalfe
Will Evans
David Roberts
Nathan Parsons

Elite women

Natasha Bradley
Hannah Escott

MTB downhill

Elite men

Danny Hart
Greg Williamson
Brendan Fairclough
Gee Atherton
Josh Bryceland
Laurie Greenland
Adam Brayton

Elite women

Rachel Atherton
Tahnee Seagrave
Manon Carpenter
Katy Curd

Junior men

Matt Walker
Charlie Hatton
Elliott Heap
Kaos Seagrave
Joe Breeden
Joe Parfitt
James Purvis

Junior women

Aston Tutt