Last-minute shakeup for U.S. women's worlds roster

In a last-minute shakeup, Lauren Komanski will replace Allie Dragoo on the United States’ elite women’s road race squad.

Komanski petitioned USA Cycling’s selection committee following the announcement of the U.S. worlds team in early September. An independent arbitrator ruled in Komanski’s favor late on Tuesday, just ahead of the Wednesday morning cutoff for final rosters.

Dragoo, 26, was set to make her first worlds appearance following breakthrough results at the USA Pro Challenge and Tour of Utah in August. Comparing the results of both riders shows Dragoo to have relatively little experience in international competition, with just two European races on her calendar in the latter half of this year. She finished 44th at Thuringen Rundfahrt and was forced abandon the Boels Rentals Ladies Tour following a crash.

Dragoo is clearly a talent. Results of note in 2014 include Tour of Utah, where she won a stage, and the Pro Challenge, where she came close to beating two-time Olympic gold medalist Kristin Armstrong in the time trial.

Komanski, 30, is a teammate of Dragoo’s on Twenty16-Sho-Air. She spent much of her season in Europe, recently racing the Aviva Women’s Tour in the UK and Tour Cycliste Feminin International de l’Ardèche in France, where she finished 24th overall and sixth in the 10.6km time trial.

The arbitrator did not find negligence or ill intent, and described the decision as a “close call.”

The final worlds roster must be submitted 72 hours in advance, which is 9 a.m. on Wednesday.

Dragoo becomes the first reserve and will be subbed in should one of the riders be forced to pull out ahead of the race.