Luke Durbridge is supporting Michael Matthews and Rohan Dennis at the World Championships as a support rider in the men's road race.

Durbridge, 28, will also compete in the individual time trial with defending champion Dennis. Currently competing in the Tour of Britain as his final warm-up race before the World Championships, Durbridge was selected to represent Australia in August. According to the Mitchelton-Scott rider, the national federation's decision was a positive step.

"It could go either way. Some riders are getting better and some are a little slower to get better and won't be selected," Durbridge told Cycling News.

"The good thing for us is that everyone knows their job and what they need to do to prepare. Australia has done well in that regard. Most of the selection races are in the Classics. Our season is really long, so it's good to know if we're preparing for the season or shutting it down."

Durbridge is not sure if he will compete in the mixed team time trial that kicks off the World Championships, but he will compete in the individual time trial, which he will run with Dennis. On a personal level, Durbridge will relish the chance to go full throttle in the time trial.

"I'm going to go full throttle in the TT. There aren't many chances during the year to go full throttle in an individual TT, so I'm preparing well for that." This year marks the 10th anniversary of the last time Australia won a men's road race since Cadel Evans' solo victory in Mendrisio, Italy, in 2009. Since then, Australia has come close to winning the title, as did Matt Goss in 2011 and Matthews, who finished second, third, and fourth in his last three appearances.

Matthews is currently in Canada competing in a World Tour race and will check out the Yorkshire course upon his return. Durbridge believes that his former Trade Team teammate can finally stand on top of the podium. The team will also have the experienced Simon Clark to assist them. Clark was the last surviving member of the 2009 Mendrisio and the only one to abstain when the players were asked to vote for Evans or Simon Gerrans to ride. Evans was the only one to vote for himself.

"In road racing, form-wise, Michael and Simon are good options," Durbridge said.

"On a course like this, I think Michael is the way to go. He likes the World Championships and he can prepare well. Winning is one of his big dreams and he has come close a few times in the last few years. I think it's possible now

"I'm going to support them both as deep into the race as possible and use my classic skills to put them in position. I think it's all about positioning, and if I can support them both as deep as possible into the final, then I think that suits me."

Denis' form heading into the time trial is somewhat uncertain: the defending champion from 12 months ago has not raced since his controversial abandonment in the Tour de France. If anyone can train for the time trial, it's him," said Dennis. I don't think there are many riders who train as hard as he does. He used to race once or twice a year on the big circuits. With an athlete from a track background, he can focus on one event and prepare for it. If he's in good shape and wants to defend, I don't think he needs too many races."