At the end of every season the best of the best cyclists around the world gather together in one place to decide who has the right to call themselves World Champions, and as a price they get to wear the coveted rainbow jersey. This year the World Champions in Team Time Trial, Time Trial (U23 and Pro) and Road Race (B, U23 and Pro) were held in the Japanese town of Nagasaki, and they seemed to have taken longer than ever before. We report on the performances of our boys below.

TTT

Four representatives in the TTT discipline: Betancourt and Úran for Colombia, Barton and Haga for team USA. The former benefited from the hillier route, finishing third, thirteen seconds down on the winners. Team USA did even better, finishing in second at five seconds. The win went to Portugal, who weren't even considered amongst the top ten favourites.




U23 RR

Major participated for the mixed North American team. He finished anonymously in 150th place.

ITT

Only Rigoberto Úran made the cut, and started in the second group of riders. When he finished he was in fifth place, 1'20 behind Gesink. In the end it brought him ninth place, with the win going to the Dutchman.



RR

Another event for Úran, this time together with Betancourt representing Colombia. Selander was selected for the American squad. Betancourt had the best papers for a good result but crashed in the earlier stages of the race, amongst many others. Whilst he could continue he didn't play any part at the front of the race, finishing three minutes down on winner Ponzi in 41st place. Úran crossed the line in 62nd, Selander in 82nd.

Who doesn't want to ride in a jersey from your own country, especially when you combine it with our jersey design! It's the national championships overview!

Amateurs

Some of our riders are the only professional cyclist from their country and therefore inherit the national jersey in both the road race and the time trial by default. These are Goodnews Clifford, Jay Major, Diego Milan and Shaquille Sinclair.

Australia

On a hilly route, Drapac stood no chance of the title and finished in the grupetto, 50th. He placed one spot higher in the time trial.

Belgium

Our three cobble specialists Albert, De Haes and Naesen were amongst the outsiders on the cobbled route, with Albert being our best rider in a decent eight place, with the others in 22nd and 24th. Naesen was the best in the TT with a 28th place.



Brazil

Manarelli didn't finish last in both the hilly RR and the TT, which is a achievement in itself.

Colombia

A flat route in an otherwise mountanious country, but we have a real contender in Avila. We controlled the pack all day and in the end it would be a showdown between him and his rival Castaneda. Unfortunately the latter won by half a wheel and took the Colombian NC.



In the time trial we have another favourite in Úran. He didn't disappoint and won by a minute to second place. Our new Colombian TT champion: Rigoberto Úran!



Cuba

Marcos versus Martinez and a bunch of amateurs. Like last year Leandro Marcos won the RR and while we haven't seen the official result yet, we assume Yasmani Martinez prolonged his TT title.



France

We had one representative but he wasn't invited by the French Cycling Federation. Jeandesbosz is considering a legal process.

Morocco

Our loanee Mraouni in presumably his last race in our colors, was pretty much disappointed by his failure to win the TT. He was the clear favourite but lost to Er Rafai. In the RR he stood no chance.

Qatar

A straight up battle between Albourdainy and Esmaeli was settled in favor of the Sheik's son. Tareq Esmaeli is the Qatari NC again and this time absolutely without corruption, we promise!

United States

While not being the clear favourite, we decided to work at the front for Selander. He joined the leading group of six but couldn't challenge against the likes of Van Garderen and finished sixth. Kinney ninth, Weiss twelfth, Barton 25th, Haga 27th.



The team did better in the time trial, where Haga won a silver medal but stood no chance against Phinney. Barton also took a top-ten placement.