Valverde and Rodriguez on Spain longlist for World Championships

Seven Movistar riders named on the Spain longlist for the World Championships in Richmond, Virginia, at the end of September

Alejandro Valverde and Joaquim Rodriguez on stage six of the 2015 Tour of Spain (Watson)

(Image credit: Watson)

Alejandro Valverde and Joaquim Rodriguez are among the 14 names on the longlist for the Spain squad ahead of the World Championships in Richmond, Virginia.

Valverde is one of seven riders from the Movistar squad to make the list, while Rodriguez's Katusha boast three of the others.

There is no place for Astana's Mikel Landa, however, or Alberto Contador, who ended his season after the Tour de France.

Spain's riches in the WorldTour doesn't mean their Pro Continental teams don't get a look in, with Caja Rural's Angel Madrazo and Lluis Mas both included in the list.

Valverde has won the bronze medal in the past three World Championships road races, with his best result being second in both 2003 and 2005. Rodriguez was second to Rui Costa in Florence in 2013 and third in 2009.

Spain has not won road race gold since Oscar Freire won his third and final title in 2004 in Verona.

Spanish longlist for World Championships

Alejandro Valverde, Jon Izagirre, Juan José Lobato, Imanol Erviti, Jonathan Castroviejo, Gorka Izagirre, José Joaquín Rojas (all Movistar), Joaquim Rodríguez, Dani Moreno, Angel Vicioso (all Katusha), Luis León Sánchez (Astana), Rubén Plaza (Lampre-Merida), Angel Madrazo and Lluis Más (both Caja Rural)

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Stuart Clarke is a News Associates trained journalist who has worked for the likes of the British Olympic Associate, British Rowing and the England and Wales Cricket Board, and of course Cycling Weekly. His work at Cycling Weekly has focused upon professional racing, following the World Tour races and its characters.