MENDRISIO, Switzerland, Sept 23, 2009 (AFP) – Kenyan-born Chris Froome is set to debut for Great Britian when he saddles up for the men’s time trial over 49.8km at the world road race championships on Thursday.

Froome, born in Nairobi but who moved to South Africa as a teenager, made his debut on the Tour de France last year with Italian professional team Barloworld.

After gaining a British license early last year, qualifying thanks to his British grandparents, he was set to debut for Britain at the Beijing Olympics in 2008 but was prevented from doing so because of an administrative error by the Kenyan authorities.

Earlier this year the 24-year-old all rounder finished 36th overall in the Tour of Italy, and seventh overall in the young riders’ classification.

Next year he will race for newly-formed British team Sky, which will be run by Dave Brailsford, who helped Britain to a record seven of a total 10 gold medals on the track at the Beijing Olympics last year.

Also competing in Thursday’s time trial for Britain is Bradley Wiggins, who finished a remarkable fourth place in the Tour de France last July.

Britain’s David Millar has pulled out of the time trial on Thursday in a bid to focus all his energies on the men’s road race on Sunday, the competition finale.

Former two-time champion Fabian Cancellara of Switzerland, who is also the Olympic time trial champion, starts as the main favourite for the race against the clock.