With the world championships rapidly approaching, three of the biggest European nations have today announced their rosters. After a dominant showing at the Vuelta a Espana, France has omitted Sylvain Chavanel from a line-up mostly consisting of youngster, Germany has decided to back Dominik Nerz at the event and Portugal will focus on Rui Costa in the battle for the rainbow jersey.

The start list for the world championships starts to take shape and today France, Portugal and Germany finalized their selections. While the latter two have a number of potential winners in the road race, the latter has the reigning time trial champion in its ranks.

French national coach has whittled his 13-rider long list down to the 9 riders that will start the race. The roster is set to be spearheaded by Thibaut Pinot who recently finished 7th in the Vuelta a Espana, youngster Warren Barguil who won two stages in the Spanish grand tour, French champion Arthur Vichot who finished 2nd in the GP de Quebec on Friday, and French darling Thomas Voeckler who finished 2nd in the Tour de Doubs on Sunday.

They will be supported by young climber Romain Bardet who was 15th and best Frenchman in the Tour de France, perennial attacker Cyril Gautier, loyal BMC domestique Amael Moinard, Alpe d'Huez winner Christophe Riblon and Anthony Roux who played a key role in Pinot's Vuelta campaign.

From the long list, 4 riders have missed out on selection. The biggest surprise is that Sylvain Chavanel has been omitted. The Frenchman didn't set the world on fire in Canada last week and this may explain the decision. There was also no room for Jerome Coppel, Blel Kadri and Tony Gallopin who had himself expressed his doubt over his ability to handle a 280km race with very few racing kilometres in his legs and now has ended his season. Vuelta queen stage winner Alexandre Geniez has been selected as reserve.

For the time trial, the team has chosen Chavanel who is the reigning national champion and won the Eneco Tour time trial earlier this year, and Jeremy Roy.

Germany may have some of the world's best sprinters in their ranks but they don't have a host of climbers at their disposal. Hence, the big nation is expected to play an underdog role on the hilly course in Florence.

Dominik Nerz is set to lead the 6-rider team on the back of a solid showing at the Vuelta where he finished 14th overall and rode an aggressive race. He will be supported by Fabian Wegmann, Simon Geschke and Paul Martens who all showed solid condition in Canada last week. Sprinter John Degenkolb has been climbing splendidly recently and has also made the cut as has classics specialist Marcus Burghardt. Johannes Fröhlinger, Christian Knees and Paul Voss have been chosen as reserves.

While Germany is not expected to play a dominant role in the road race, they are expected to make headlines in the time trial. As defending champion, Tony Martin has earned an automatic selection and he will go all out in his attempt to make it three in a row. He will be joined by 2008 champion Bert Grabsch who will end his career at the end of the season if he doesn't get a new contract, and young talent Patrick Gretsch.

Finally, Portugal has whittled its 6-rider long list down to the final line-up. The team will be spearheaded by Tour de Suisse winner Rui Costa who showed good condition by finishing in the top 10 of both Canadian races last week. He will be supported by climbers Andre Cardoso who finished 16th in the Vuelta, and Tiago Machado who was riding well in Canada. Former U23 world time trial silver medalist Nelson Oliveira will do the time trial while there was no room for Sergio Paulinho and Jose Mendes.

France for the world championships road race:

Thomas Voeckler, Arthur Vichot, Thibaut Pinot, Anthony Roux, Warren Barguil, Christophe Riblon, Romain Bardet, Amael Moinard and Cyril Gautier

France for the world championships time trial:

Sylvain Chavanel and Jeremy Roy

Germany for the world championships road race:

Dominik Nerz, Paul Martens, Simon Geschke, John Degenkolb, Fabian Wegmann and Marcus Burghardt

Germany for the world championships time trial:

Tony Martin, Patrick Gretsch and Bert Grabsch

Portugal for the world championships road race:

Rui Costa, Tiago Machado and Andre Cardoso

Portugal for the world championships time trial:

Nelson Oliveira