The Spanish National Federation will announce its lineup for the UCI Road World Championships in Australia this Monday, but for Burgos-BH's Jesus Esquerra, if reports earlier this week are true, it will confirm the need to postpone his wedding after a totally unexpected call-up. may be.

Esquerra's postponement is one of the indirect effects of the ongoing UCI points battle.

Spanish national trainer Pascual Montparel told Marca (open in new tab) this month that of the originally planned lineup for the senior men's race, only two professionals are currently available. Although not yet confirmed, it is believed that Juan Ayuso and Marc Sorel, both with UAE Team Emirates, are those two.

"All our national team coaches have the same problem," Montparrère told Marca. 'Because a lot of teams won't let us use their players.' [Some of the teams "won't lend" them to us because it would ruin the calendar they are trying to keep for their season. Also, one rider may lead a national team, and other teams have to help that rider.

Alejandro Valverde (Movistar), who will retire after winning the title in Innsbruck in 2018, is reportedly unable to participate in the World Championships due to a relegation battle.

As a result of reduced selection options, players like Esquerra face the possibility of a call-up, which, as he told Cycling News during the Vuelta, would be a "great opportunity" even if it meant delaying his wedding.

"We're trying to change the dates for the wedding," the 31-year-old Esquerra commented."

"It was a real surprise to me, but it would hopefully be a dream.

Esquerra, in his fifth season with Burgos-BH, finished the Vuelta in 68th place and will learn on Monday whether he was finally selected. He denied that having to delay his wedding would be a problem at home, saying, "For something as great as this, it's a dream come true. I really want to do it. I'm dealing with it well."

He also said that he was "very happy with the way I'm handling it.

Esquerra has one stage win in the 2016 Volta a Portugal, and has two top-10 finishes in this year's Vuelta, in Montilla and the transition stage to Tomales.

"I've only competed in the World Championships once before, in Copenhagen with the U23 team in 2011. If I could participate again, I would love to."

And now back from Australia and back in his native Cantabria, Esquerra aims to step up for another day, albeit a week later than originally planned, but far more important in his life.