The New Zealand national champion Jack Bauer has answered an SOS to race in this week's World Road Cycling Championships in Melbourne.
The UK-based professional will arrive in Melbourne on Wednesday ahead of Thursday's individual time trial at the championships in Geelong.
Bauer will replace US-based compatriot Jeremy Vennell after the former national time trial champion fell ill this week.
Bauer, who has been riding for the Endura Pro Continental team in Europe, will use the event to prepare for the Commonwealth Games in Delhi, where he is expected to be a prominent hope in the men's road race.
The Under-23 men and elite women compete in the time trial in Geelong on Wednesday and the elite men on Thursday.
The under 23-men's road race over 10 laps of the 16 kilometre circuit is on Friday, the women over eight laps on Saturday and the men over 263 kilometres on Sunday.
