Aw yeah, UCI World Championships are around the corner and with Cross Vegas this week, all the racing is happening overseas. The event kicks of with Women and Men Team Time Trial (Check the parcour here), followed then by various Time Trials (Men profile) and completed by the prestigious road race competitons.
Men's Road Race, a sweet 16 laps cumulating to a bit over 250km, feature this gorgeous lap profile.
So what to say about the lap itself: Richmond RR features cobblezz (Monument Avenue, cobbled climb up Libby Hill), which makes it by default probably more exciting than Ponferrada last year. How tough and decisive they'll be, we'll see. Climbs of Libby Hill, 23rd Street and Governor Street sound like they are straight out of a city criterium or a child race but they are in close repetition and should make for some great racing.
Who starts for your country? Check it out over at UCI page. https://www.uci.ch...ts-172311/ The goons of UCI have succeeded in making PDF files, making it an unnecessarcy nuissance to just copy them in here.
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
Shonak wrote:
All eyes on the prize, guys. Most beautiful jersey in the sport.
Most beautiful jersey in the world in any sport!
Always an exciting period because 1. cross season starting and 2. world championship is such a nice race because of that jersey. Always a question who will wear it for a year. So many deserve it, only one can win it.
Greg Van Avermaet would be a very deserving and beautiful champion. Just saying
So would Sagan!
Ian Butler wrote:
Greg Van Avermaet would be a very deserving and beautiful champion. Just saying
So would Sagan!
Yet for some unexplainable reason, they will both not win (I'm picking now Sagan second Van Avermaet third. ) I would love to see Van Avermaet win though.
I'm kind of thinking this course could simply be won by the most powerful rider, maybe Tony Martin? But my current amount of PCM reflects how bad I am at picking things before the inevitable reply of how stupid an idea that is. (I did pick Peraud to podium at the 2014 tour though )
Really want Gallopin or Wellens to do well here as well, if the cobbles don't prove to tough it could be great for them (picking them to win )
Can't look past Stybar, van Avermaet and Sagan to win this really, but heaps and heaps of over contenders, so hopefully an exciting race
Also what are the general thoughts on Gilbert's chances?
Obvious Favourites (I'm assuming that all these are going) but as if often the case a lesser rider may well win one that is just under the radar like when Rui Costa won.
Stybar
GVA (if he can think for a change)
Gilbert
Sagan
Dekenkolb
Kristoff
Terpstra
Team Time Trial - It's all about the big teams: Boels Dolmans, Orica, Rabo, Velocio and Wiggle. Velocio have dominated this event winning all 3 editions and it's very hard to look beyond them again. The 2nd and 3rd places are a lot more open.
Elite Time Trial - Brennauer won last year and she's had an even better season. She's coming of a win in the Boels Rentals Tour so it's hers to lose. Do keep an eye on Ann-Sophie Duyck of Belgium, coming in off a win in the womens version of Chrono Nations. As well as Brennauer Germany has Worrack who could win, and watch for Kroeger. The big challenge to Brennauer comes from Van Djik, 2013 winner, and Van der Breggen. Either of the Dutchies could steal the crown and both are in good shape. A mention as well for last years 2nd in Hanna Solovey, her form is a bit unkown but she's had a strong season and could go very well. And finally we have the USA in Stevens, two time medaller, and Armstrong, a 2 time winner.
Elite Road Race - Well this one is very open. Ferrand-Prevot, Armitstead, Guarnier, Stevens, Johansson, Niewiadoma, Van Djik, Van Vleuten, Van der Breggen, Brand, Blaak, Pieters, Wild, Ratto, Longo Borghini, Bronzini, Guarischi, Brennauer, Worrack, Garner, d'Hoore, Cromwell.... Erm, yeah basically anyone could win this race. It's gonna be a f*cking great event
Junior Events - Really i have no clue here. Watch for the other Garner. The Spain team is promising but probably not winners. Kastelijn has a contract with Rabo so is worth looking at. Again fairly open now that Dideriksen is gone.
Disclaimer- Most of my posts are me thinking aloud. And most of what I think is rubbish.
Winner of a FIFA Prediction Fair Play Award (a phrase becoming increasingly ironic) "... Because he (me) has a sound tactical mind in general..." jandal7, at 9:30 am GMT on 12th May 2016
) I would love to see Van Avermaet win though. 
)
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