Dowsett and Cummings out to secure Rio places at Worlds TT

While both Steve Cummings and Alex Dowsett would both have been hoping to secure a high placing in amongst the world's best time triallists anyway at the World Championships on Thursday, there's another reason they'll both be giving their all to get inside the top-10.

Each National Olympic Committee represented by a rider in the top-10 of the Worlds TT will be given a spot in the individual time trial at the Olympic Games in Rio next year.

Great Britain has already guaranteed itself one place in the event in 2016 with a top-15 placing in the UCI WorldTour secured, but both Brits will be out to claim a second spot to improve the chances of taking a medal in the Games.

Watch: How to beat a long time trial

Dowsett, who took his fourth British national time trial title earlier this year, is likely to be best placed to achieve the required placing, with Cummings coming off a heavy race schedule that included the Tour de France and the Vuelta a España.

"I'm in a good place," Dowsett told the BBC (opens in new tab) on Thursday. "I think I'll be ok. Our main aim here, for me and for Steve, is to top-10 to guarantee ourselves a second place in Olympics time trial next year, anything else will be a bonus. It's not an easy course."

When British Cycling initially announced the line-ups for the 2015 Worlds in Richmond, only Dowsett was listed as taking part in the time trial, however Cummings has since been added to that to fill GB's two spots.

Defending world champion Bradley Wiggins chose not to defend his title as he continues to focus on the track in preparation for next year's Olympics.

You find the full preview for the elite men's TT here, with start-times listed here.