Strap in it's going to be an exciting day as 162 cyclists from 26 countries
fight for what could be the last Rainbow jersey in the foreseeable future.

Why? The UCI is meeting next week to discuss cancelling the 2018 season
with WWIII teetering in the balance between the USA and Europe.

So, enjoy. This could be the last time we see professional cycling for a while.



Stay with us throughout the day as we bring the event to you live!
We'll be back after a commercial break to preview the "Race to the Rainbow".

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Hi everybody, it's Travis. I hope you aren't too confused.
I'm playing back the TV replay of the World RR Championships.
This was the good news Kyle had when he stopped by the apartment.

The National Team offered me a spot on their 7 man squad!
Rightfully so too. I finished the season as the 4th best PCT cyclist and
would have lead Fox cycling to promotion if the team wasn't abandoning.

But why a replay you may ask? In fear of an attack of war the race organizers banned all electronic devices in the area except for the television broadcasters.

It's was a pain, but I understand where they are coming from; safety first.
Luckily, NBC Sports was here broadcasting and they like to follow me around.



I'll be back during the commercial breaks to give my analysis, enjoy the race!

258kms, 14 circuits, a lot of climbing, but only 1 winner.
Pietermaritzburg is our host for the next 7-8 hours here in South Africa.



A few surprise winners over the past 4 seasons with Avermaet and Degenkolb.
Is there another on the horizon or will the favourites regain the status quo?



Sagan is odds on favourite at 12:1, that's how deep the talent is here.
As it should be. This is the World Championships!

Let's go live and catch up on today's earlier action on course.



It's everybody's favourite David Veilleux attacking from the gun!
Riders scramble behind him to be apart of this opening attack.

We're going to take another short commercial break and
sort out the morning breakaway when get back.

--- *** --- *** --- *** ---

Got to love Fox advertising on NBC Sports for New Girl.
I guess it's there last ditch effort for promoting through cycling before
they pull the plug, plus I'm also not the only Fox cyclist to make it here either.

My teammates for today's big event are:


Yep, that's right. Mr. Lawson Craddock is back to annoy me.
He even beat out Larry Warbasse for the last spot on the team.

Let me get you back to the action to show you how this unfolds.

We last left you with Veilleux creating the first move of the day.



While we were gone 8 cyclists have bridged the gap up to the Canadian,
and with their lead out to 3 minutes this looks to be the breakaway of the day.



Let's take a close look at those testing their luck in the breakaway:

David Veilleux: The 29 year old rides for his home team Air Canada and
truly has become Captain Canada after winning both the Canadian ITT and RR Championship this season. Also a 5th place overall at the Tour of Beauce.

Rohan Dennis: The excellent TTer from Commonwealth Bank has had
a ton of success this season - 13th in the World ITT a few days ago,
10th in Tour of Romandie, and 1st at the Aussie ITT Championships.

Matthieu Ladagnous: The 32 year old cobbler who recently moved to AG2R has been constant all season. 8th Ronde van Vlaanderen, 17th Paris-Roubaix, and top 5's in both RR (4th) and ITT (5th) French Championships.

Phil Deignan: The UnitedHealthCare aging star is looking for one last win to put on his resume. This year he was accomplished a 2nd at Tour of Beauce and Tour of the Gila, and a stage win at the Tour of America's Dairyland.

Matthias Frank: Arguable the best Swiss climber now is a strong man to have in the breakaway. His pedigree includes 4th at the Tour of California
and 16th at the Tour of Suisse for the Target - AT&T leader.

Daniel Oss: The punchy sprinter from Italy is most remembered for his daring breakaway win during this year's 12th stage of the Tour de France.
He also claimed 11th Ronde van Vlaanderen and 14th at Paris-Roubaix.

Lawson Craddock: Was gone from PT domestic to PCT powerhouse.
7th at the Amgen Tour of California, 1st at the Sea Otter Classic,
1st Cascade Cycling Classic, and numerous top 10's in other American races.

Travis Newton: But, even Craddock has been shown up by his teammate at Fox Cycling: Travis Newton. What can I say? There is just so much, a whole television series would be needed to capture Newton's life story.



Very dangerous to have two members of the same team (and country)
in the breakaway together! But, the peloton does seem to mind as
the lead grows out to 5 minutes after 25kms of racing.



One thing is certain, the Fox teammates are going to have to work together
because the other breakaway riders don't feel like they have to pull their weight.

Stay tuned as past blood between the two could reemerge as this race unfolds.
So, we're going to step out once again so we can bring you the run-in
to the finish with limited commercials at the end of the broadcast.