British Cycling has today announced the riders who that will represent Britain in the cross-country races at the mountain bike world championships, Saalfelden, Austria, August 29 to September 9.  

It’s the biggest British team selected by British Cycling for an overseas world’s and includes three British Olympians: Annie Last, Liam Killeen and Oliver Beckingsale.

Annie Last, 21, has had her best-ever season and is currently ranked sixth in the world. She has won silver medals in the under-23 event at the last two world championships, and is the hot favourite for gold this year as last year’s winner Julie Bresset has moved up to the senior ranks.

Kenta Gallagher, 20, is also having a career-best season with a second national title and two top-10 finishes in World Cups. He is ranked 15th in the world.

Junior Beth Crumpton has had three top 15 finishes in World Cups and also won her second national title last week.

National mountain bike coach Phil Dixon said:  “The team has established international quality at the elite and under-23 level and will be represented in all categories which is an indication of the strength of mountain biking in Great Britain.”

Great Britain cross-country team for 2012 world championships

Elite men: Liam Killeen,  David Fletcher, Oliver Beckingsale
Elite women: Lee Craigy
Under-23 men: Grant Ferguson, Kenta Gallagher,  Sebastian Bachelor, Steve James
U23 women: Annie Last
Junior men: Iain Paton, Michael Thompson, Samuel Stean
Junior women: Alice Barnes, Beth Crumpton, Rebecca Preece