|
World Championships 2017 Bergen
|
| Shonak |
Posted on 14-09-2017 18:01
|
Tour de France Champion
Posts: 15615
Joined: 16-07-2013
PCM$: 350.00
|
Well the World Championships are just around the corner, starting sunday and ending the following week. Of course all eyes will be on Sagan who could win his third rainbow jersey on the road. He'd equal Binda, Rik Van Steenbergen, Eddy Merckx and Oscar Freire with this third win, no one has done it back-to-back though.
His toughest opponents will surely be the other classic contenders. Both Kwiatek and GVA have bested Sagan this year when it counted in the spring classics. Alaphilippe comes back from a nice Vuelta and will lead the french team, looking to finish the year in style after much misforunte. Gilbert may be enjoying his second second spring in Bergen and given how he too has missed out on LBL, will be eager to cap it off. Of course the Norwegians sure as hell have mighty cards to play with Eddy Boasson Hagen, Kristoff and many young hungry riders racing in front of the home crowd.
Additionally you can always count on Australia to uhm race for uhm for some place and who knows what the Dutchies will up to when they are not busy rooting for Marianne Vos. Spain without Valverde is a bit headless and Italy may have lots of subtier riders for this profile but not aclear-cut favourite. Maybe Ulissi upstage the odds yet again?
And what about Colomobia? They have brought a mighty climber squad here with Gaviria as the apparent captain as the weakest climber of the lot. Our posterboy has done well in Britain, coming back after an injury. Bergen might just be a tad too tough for him, but Riis and I are believing in him of course!
Given the bumpy and demanding route, who are your favourites? Norway has great fish that's for sure but that Salmon Hill is mighty tasty, too. 
Get hyped!
Before that event, Chris Froome will have the chance to achieve the triple slam by adding the TT title to his palmares after he successfully won Vuelta and le Tour. Of course Tom Dumoulin is the declared favourite, having passed on the Vuelta to train for the TT and who should be in fine form given his BinckBank Tour win.
Also tune into the Team Time Trial event. Matt White from Orica has called it relentless.
I'll leave the honours of introducing the women's race to TMM. 
| Date | Timings | Event | Distance | | Team time trial events | | 17 September | 12:05 | 13:55 | Women's teams | 42.5 km | | 15:35 | 17:25 | Men's teams | 42.5 km | | Individual time trial events | | 18 September | 10:35 | 11:50 | Junior women | 16.1 km | | 13:05 | 17:35 | Under-23 men | 37.2 km (23.1 mi) | | 19 September | 11:35 | 13:30 | Junior men | 21.1 km | | 15:55 | 17:15 | Elite women | 21.1 km | | 20 September | 13:05 | 17:45 | Elite men | 31.0 km | | Road race events | Laps | | 22 September | 10:05 | 12:15 | Junior women | 76.4 km | | 13:15 | 17:35 | Under-23 men | 191.0 km | | 23 September | 09:30 | 12:45 | Junior men | 133.8 km | | 13:15 | 17:15 | Elite women | 152.8 km | | 24 September | 10:05 | 16:50 | Elite men | 267.5 km |
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
|
| |
|
|
| trekbmc |
Posted on 14-09-2017 18:08
|
Team Leader
Posts: 7366
Joined: 11-07-2014
PCM$: 700.00
|
Hope Laporte races, not sure if they've released the French squad yet (can't see it anyway) but he'll be the one to prevent Sagan's hatrick.
I'll be on the roadside for the Elite Road Races, which I'm super excited about.  Michael Mathews could be a shot for Australia who I guess I'm supporting but watching Kwiatek and Gilbert win (especially à la Amstel) would be amazing (I'm sorta bound to support Kwiatek now  but I kinda love watching him race anyway )
"What done is, is one." - Benji Naesen
|
| |
|
|
| Croatia14 |
Posted on 14-09-2017 18:09
|
Directeur Sportif
Posts: 9099
Joined: 13-03-2013
PCM$: 2100.00
|
Tim Wellens for me, let's be a little bold.
|
| |
|
|
| trekbmc |
Posted on 14-09-2017 18:10
|
Team Leader
Posts: 7366
Joined: 11-07-2014
PCM$: 700.00
|
Bergen is the rainiest city in Europe, the stage could be set perfectly for him.
"What done is, is one." - Benji Naesen
|
| |
|
|
| Ad Bot |
Posted on 24-11-2024 18:42
|
Bot Agent
Posts: Countless
Joined: 23.11.09
|
|
| IP: None |
|
|
| Paul23 |
Posted on 14-09-2017 18:11
|
Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4411
Joined: 10-08-2011
PCM$: 400.00
|
What about Degenkolb? I know he's not on form and he has as big of a chance as Matthews, but you should've at least named him Also Tony to lead until the climb starts in the ITT. 
|
| |
|
|
| georgebooo |
Posted on 14-09-2017 21:00
|
Under 23
Posts: 82
Joined: 08-07-2013
PCM$: 200.00
|
I see EBH yolo winning this one |
| |
|
|
| Bjartne |
Posted on 14-09-2017 21:06
|
Classics Specialist
Posts: 2907
Joined: 15-07-2007
PCM$: 300.00
|
Peter Sagan is sick and didn't arrive Bergen today as scheduled.
He will definately miss the opening, but may arrive before the road race according to Norwegian media. |
| |
|
|
| TheManxMissile |
Posted on 14-09-2017 21:07
|
Tour de France Champion
Posts: 18187
Joined: 12-05-2012
PCM$: 0.00
|
Shonak wrote:
I'll leave the honours of introducing the women's race to TMM.
Smart money is on Longo-Borghini or the Dutch to win the RR. Dutch again for the ITT. Will run up a better idea nearer the time when i've actually looked at the startlist
|
| |
|
|
| hillis91 |
Posted on 14-09-2017 21:22
|
Team Leader
Posts: 5897
Joined: 30-11-2006
PCM$: 1500.00
|
I will be attending the whole week Backyard WC for the kiiid
the City is getting ready
|
| |
|
|
| SSJ2Luigi |
Posted on 14-09-2017 21:26
|
World Champion
Posts: 11971
Joined: 21-07-2012
PCM$: 400.00
|
that reminds me, I should probably start looking into #PCMInnsbruck2018
|
| |
|
|
| Shonak |
Posted on 14-09-2017 21:39
|
Tour de France Champion
Posts: 15615
Joined: 16-07-2013
PCM$: 350.00
|
SSJ2Luigi wrote:
that reminds me, I should probably start looking into #PCMInnsbruck2018
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
|
| |
|
|
| Croatia14 |
Posted on 14-09-2017 21:45
|
Directeur Sportif
Posts: 9099
Joined: 13-03-2013
PCM$: 2100.00
|
Paul23 wrote:
What about Degenkolb? I know he's not on form and he has as big of a chance as Matthews, but you should've at least named him Also Tony to lead until the climb starts in the ITT.
From my latest information Dege most likely is not on full gas, and Nik Arndt will lead the German squad. This is a very good choice, he was great both on his opportnities and for Matthews. I guess Arndt is a good bet for a Top 5 in a reduced bunch sprint.
|
| |
|
|
| hillis91 |
Posted on 14-09-2017 21:48
|
Team Leader
Posts: 5897
Joined: 30-11-2006
PCM$: 1500.00
|
Croatia14 wrote:
Paul23 wrote:
What about Degenkolb? I know he's not on form and he has as big of a chance as Matthews, but you should've at least named him Also Tony to lead until the climb starts in the ITT.
From my latest information Dege most likely is not on full gas, and Nik Arndt will lead the German squad. This is a very good choice, he was great both on his opportnities and for Matthews. I guess Arndt is a good bet for a Top 5 in a reduced bunch sprint.
Boasson Hagen goes solo in the final 5 KMs, leaving Kristoff on the wheel of Sagan. Mark my words
|
| |
|
|
| cio93 |
Posted on 14-09-2017 22:26
|
World Champion
Posts: 10845
Joined: 29-10-2007
PCM$: 500.00
|
Croatia14 wrote:
Paul23 wrote:
What about Degenkolb? I know he's not on form and he has as big of a chance as Matthews, but you should've at least named him Also Tony to lead until the climb starts in the ITT.
From my latest information Dege most likely is not on full gas, and Nik Arndt will lead the German squad. This is a very good choice, he was great both on his opportnities and for Matthews. I guess Arndt is a good bet for a Top 5 in a reduced bunch sprint.
Arndt rarely pushes above his weight either though. At least he should indeed take the course well.
|
| |
|
|
| FreitasPCM |
Posted on 14-09-2017 23:03
|
Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 8389
Joined: 08-09-2009
PCM$: 200.00
|
If it rains, I hope a very unpredictable race. Racing at home, expect EBH and Kristoff to try something, perhaps EBH if the race is split near the end. And seen Wellens' name there, would be the biggest outsider if it's not a steady race for Sagan's match point.
Otherwise, yeah, GAVIRIA! |
| |
|
|
| hillis91 |
Posted on 14-09-2017 23:04
|
Team Leader
Posts: 5897
Joined: 30-11-2006
PCM$: 1500.00
|
FreitasPCM wrote:
If it rains, I hope a very unpredictable race. Racing at home, expect EBH and Kristoff to try something, perhaps EBH if the race is split near the end. And seen Wellens' name there, would be the biggest outsider if it's not a steady race for Sagan's match point.
Otherwise, yeah, GAVIRIA!
Like Eddy did in Tour of Britian recently, and in the Euros. Seeing as both Eddy and Kristoff are sprinters. With Eddy's TT strength, that is the tactic they will land on, with Eiking as an Outsider
|
| |
|
|
| hillis91 |
Posted on 14-09-2017 23:05
|
Team Leader
Posts: 5897
Joined: 30-11-2006
PCM$: 1500.00
|
And btw, Salmon Hill could be rather brutal. Not sure if Gaviria could handle that one 12 times
|
| |
|
|
| hillis91 |
Posted on 14-09-2017 23:55
|
Team Leader
Posts: 5897
Joined: 30-11-2006
PCM$: 1500.00
|
Video of the climb up to Fløyen, with Norwegian commentary, not needed tho:
https://www.ba.no/floyen/sport/sykkel...5-8-639283
|
| |
|
|
| Riis123 |
Posted on 15-09-2017 18:59
|
Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 5075
Joined: 07-08-2008
PCM$: 200.00
|
Altho I still root for Gaviria, I really doubt he will win or even be close considering. He started racing pretty late and he doesn't seem to have the shape in a hard, long semi hilly one day race. Gladly be proven wrong tho..
Golden Greg or maybe a longshot like Søren Kragh! |
| |
|
|
| Ollfardh |
Posted on 15-09-2017 19:05
|
World Champion
Posts: 14563
Joined: 08-08-2011
PCM$: 9100.00
|
If my plane home has no delay, I can watch the last 50K, just in time to see my boy Tim Wellens make his deciding attack.
Changed my sig, this was getting absurd.
|
| |
|
![imgur.com/KlJUqDx.jpg[/img[img]]https://imgur.com/yUygrQ.jpg](https://imgur.com/KlJUqDx.jpg[/img[img]]https://imgur.com/yUygrQ.jpg)
