Youngster Schultz has received the late call up for the Australian squad after Richie Porte was a late withdrawal for the world championships. Porte has struggled to get back to form after suffering a fractured clavicle at the Tour de France, with a respiratory problem in the final week of the Vuelta the final straw for his Worlds participation.
In his place, Schultz has been called up to support the more established leaders within the squad.
“It is an honour to be selected to represent Australia at the World Championships. I will give my maximum to deliver whatever is required," said Schultz. "I would also like to wish Richie a speedy recovery and thank Cycling Australia for their faith in selecting me.”
Schultz has come down a different path than many Australian cyclists, going to Europe as a 20-year-old with SEG Racing, before progressing to the Caja-Rural squad after a stagiare period with Mitchelton-Scott in 2016.
A third place behind Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) and Carlos Verona (Mitchelton-Scott) at the GP Miguel Indurain was his best result of the 2018 season.
Schultz is due to join the World Tour next season with Mitchelton-Scott, and he'll get an early chance to join up with future teammates Jack Haig and Damien Howson in the Australia squad.
“Nick is coming into the team in a specific climbing support role," said Australian Cycling Team Performance Director Simon Jones. "He has just completed the Vuelta and he has the form and desire to contribute to the team strategy. I want to thank Nick for taking up this late opportunity”.
