We’re back in Puri, this time for the team time-trial. France, Belgium and Denmark are demmed the favorites by both the bookies and the organisators.
South Africa go first. They stay well together, but it quickly appears they’re not fast enough to compete for anything. They clock the first time of the race: 50’57.
They’re followed by Colombia. The South Americans are slower than other teams at the time checks, but they still beat South Africa by 41 seconds: 50’16.
Australia were the 3rd team to go and they’re leading at the checks after dropping their weaker riders. But it’s a big surprise at the end, as they finish 1’’ short of Colombia.
Greece are in the process of dropping Farantakis. They’re close to Australia, and even take the lead! 50’08.
Poland is having a hardish time. They’re 21 seconds off, still better than South Africa.
It’s even worse for Ireland, where Dunbar and Mullen are quite alone. They’ll have their chances in the ITT; for now they’re last, at 1’35.
Britain seem to go for midtable. For now they’re provisional 2nd, with a time of 50’12.
Denmark don’t really live up to their pre race favorite status. They’re behind Greece at the time-check. But they have a really good last third of the race and take the hot seat: 50’02.
Though Russia are even slower on the road, they finish on the same time as the Danes!
Israel are in the fight… for last. And succeed at it for now: they’re 2 full minutes off.
And behind them are coming other favorites in Belgium! They ride fast, they ride to the hot seat, only dropping Van Hooydonk in the meantime. They even crack the 50’ mark: 49’53.
Ukraine is more in the last section fo the classification. At 2’09, they’re 1’’ slower than Israel.
Switzerland is 18 seconds off Belgium at the 2nd check. A bit faster than Britain. They beat Denmark in the end, but are still 8 seconds off the pace.
France is tied with Belgium aat the check. Will they finish close too? No! What a heartbreak: they couldn’t keep it together and lose 6 seconds.
italy seem to settle for midtable. They’re 21 seconds off.
Same for Netherlands, who lose even more time: +35’’.
Canada are among the teams more than 1 minute off at the 2nd check. 1’18 lost isn’t too bad, as they secure a top 20.
Czechia, on the other end, are really on the slower side. They take the red lantern, in the same time as Ukraine.
But they stayed together all race long, which Hong Kong has a hard time doing. They’re 4 to cross the line together, 1’22 off the pace. The last part, in particular, was hard on them.
The US don’t seem able to challenge Belgium this year. Could the last part of the stage come with surprises for them? No. 20 seconds off is a big fall.
Norway aren’t too bad. Maybe they can look for a podium?
Yes! They beat France and end only 2 seconds slower than Belgium. Well done!
I believed Portugal would be close, but not really, as the Iberians lose 18 seconds.
Their neighbors from Spain are doing OK. They end 10th and kick last year winners out of the top 10.
Lithuania enter the field last, and have to pass all the dropped riders. They end 15th, 33 seconds off.
Congrats on Belgium for taking their first TTT title!
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