By Gary Anderson

Megan Fisher is among 15 Paralympians named on the US squad for the Para-cyclinf Road World Championships ©Getty Images The United States has named a 44-strong squad for next month's International Cycling Union (UCI) Para-cycling Road World Championships that contains seven reigning champions as well as a host of Paralympic gold medallists.

The seven returning champions, who won world titles at last year's Championships in Baie-Comeau, Canada helping the US to top the medals table, are Monica Bascio, Muffy Davis, Megan Fisher, Allison Jones, Aaron Keith, Greta Neimanas and Jamie Whitmore.

Bascio, Masters, Jones and Dan Cnossen all competed at the Sochi 2014 Winter Paralympic Games, where Masters won a silver and bronze in Nordic skiing and Jones took bronze in Alpine Skiing.

Sochi was Jones' seventh Paralympic Games, highlighted by a cycling gold at London 2012, while Bascio claimed two cycling silvers in London with Masters taking a bronze in rowing.

Davis is also a three-time Paralympic gold medallist in hand-cycling and is joined by fellow Paralympians Joe Berenyi, Will Groulx, Steven Peace, Anthony Pedeferri, Clark Rachfal, Oz Sanchez, Matt Updike, Alicia Dana, Greta Neimanas, Jennifer Schuble and Karissa Whitsell in a squad of 27 men and 17 women.

Four of the US Para-cycling squad competed at the Sochi 2014 Paralympics including Oksana Masters, who won silver and bronze in Nordic skiing ©AFP/Getty ImagesFour of the US Para-cycling squad competed at the Sochi 2014 Paralympics including Oksana Masters, who won silver and bronze in Nordic skiing ©AFP/Getty Images



"We are going to Greenville with the largest and most decorated Para-cycling team ever to compete at the World Championships and I'm confident our athletes will defend our title as the world's number one Para-cycling team," said Ian Lawless, high performance director for US Paralympics cycling.

"I know our athletes are motivated and excited to perform at their best on home soil in front of friends, fans and family, and I can't wait to show Greenville, South Carolina, and America what our amazing Team USA athletes can do."

The squad will be looking to capitalise on competing on home soil as the World Championships take place in Greenville, South Carolina from August 28 to September 1.

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