The TTT starts the World Championship 2013 in Stuttgart!
And we have lots of teams being able to fight for the medals.
We have to start with the 2012 champion: The Netherlands. Their team is still one of the strongest around TT machines Gesink and Posthuma. But actually all 8 are very good time trialists.
Their biggest opponents are Spain (Tenorio, Contador, Plaza), Russia (Ignatiev, Kritskiy), Germany (Kittel, Schädlich), Belgium (Cornu), France (Coppel, Rolland) or Italy (Nibali).
Those are expected to be the strongest teams while the other teams definitely aren`t without any chances. Most teams have some very good time trialists and on a good day those could come close to the podium.
With Germany one of the top favourites are on the road as first. Just like the Netherlands we see 8 brilliant time trialists and also a nice mix of puncheurs inside with Schumacher, Fothen or Keinath. The question is if Kittel, Schädlich or Barth can keep their pace over the climbs? At least they get full support by the crowd here in Stuttgart.
Portugal next. Rui Costa or Oliveira surely aren`t bad time trialists, but neither they are within the very best nor do they have the best support. So it`s one of those outsider teams needing a perfect day by their riders.
Their start was good though and not as different to Germany as expected.
The Netherlands are already the next team and so we will have an early fight for the gold medal. Their advantage might be the good balance. Almost all time trialist are also decent puncheurs and so they should do well on the uphill and straight part. As incumbent champion they of course have a lot of pressure to repeat their win.
New Zealand has one huge star in Sam Bewley. But despite him having his best season so far, time trialing is not his biggest strength. Bauer or Sergent are their better riders for today and lead one of the biggest outsiders.
Lithuania as 5th team. Also one of the weaker as most of the riders usually have helper roles in their teams. Navardauskas probably their most known rider.
Sweden with their stars Lövkvist and Kessiakoff. But missing their top time trialist Gustav Larsson is a huge problem for them. This might take them the chance to get a better result.
But coming to a good result. We have the first 3 teams at the only intermediate and the time difference might be a small surprise:
1
Netherlands
36'17
2
Germany
+ 20
3
Portugal
+ 37
Apparently the Netherlands are on a good way while Germany is a bit disappointing so far.
Canada around routiniers Hesjedal and Meier. None of them is a top15 individual time trialist, so their chances are low. Still future is looking good with some younger talents such as Boily or Houle.
Colombia is more known for climbing than time trialing. Still they have sent a decent team here around stage racers Uran, Suaza, Serpa, Duarte or Henao. But actually a top10 would already be a very huge success.
Norway as next. Edvald Boasson Hagen might be disappointed to not being able to ride the ITT this year. TTT wise he has some support but his main focus is most likely the Road Race where he is one of the top favourites for the title.
Great Britain is having a pretty good time trial team here around Tennant, Bibby, Stannard and others. So they could surprise here with a good result. But chances obviously are higher in the Road Race with some top puncheurs.
Swiss has one outstanding rider in Fabian Cancellara. He is the team`s star and Switzerland`s best chance for a medal in the Worlds. As team it will be very difficult.
France is one of the favourite teams, that seems to be a bit forgotten behind the others. But with Coppel they have one of the very best individual time trialist and also the team around him has lots of great riders. Definitely a team to watch.
And as several more teams reached the intermediate here a short overview again:
1
Netherlands
36'17
2
Germany
+ 20
3
Portugal
+ 37
4
Great Britain
+ 38
5
Sweden
+ 52
6
Colombia
+ 57
7
Norway
+ 1'06
8
New Zealand
+ 1'07
9
Lithuania
+ 1'10
10
Canada
+ 1'15
Russia as next favourite team. Kritskiy is having an awesome season so far, while Ignatiev already was more successful. Still both are excellent time trialists and also the others aren`t much weaker.
Austria with one of the weakest squads. Denifl is the biggest name of course but as a team they woould need some kind of miracle to be honest.
Spain was named as top favourite a lot of time. No surprise when seeing the names: Tenorio, Contador, Plaza, Sanchze Gil, Lloret, Intxausti, Madrazo and Abal. Not only top time trialists, also top stage racers. So they should do very well here on the hilly terrain.
Czech Republik has a good mix of experienced riders like Rabon or Kreuziger and some talents with König or Novak. In total not really a favourite but a very interesting team for the future.
Australia with Rogers is always a danger in any time trial. And as Bobridge, Ford, Olman and the others are great time trialists as well, they must be watched for sure. Their biggest disadvantage might be the lack of puncheurs as half of the team prefers the flat the most.
Ukraine is some kind of dark horse here. Popovych, Ratiy, Grivko speak for quality, but how good can they ride as a pretty mixed team as they don`t have 8 top class time trialists?
Slovenia has big names in the team such as Spilak, Braijkovic, Koren or Vrecer. But the other half of the team is pretty unknown. So they could do well here but more likely they will finish in the 2nd half.
Italy with Cunego, Nibali, Pozzato is ready for all events I guess. Time trialing is not their biggest strength but still they got a nice team here to fight for a good result. More interesting might be the road race with more or less all their riders being possible favourites.
USA with Taylor Phinney. One of the next top favourites for the ITT. Unfortunately for the team Dave Zabriskie isn`t participating as he could be the needed addition to fight for a medal. That said, the 2012 U23 ITT champion Eastman, Bookwalter and Donald aren`t the weakest neither.
Belgium did well last year and should also do well this year.
Cornu might be their standout rider today but also Van Den Broeck, De Gendt or Gilbert are good riders and in especially the team is filled with good puncheurs to eventually make the difference.
As last team Denmark starts the race. Some good time trialist here but no one being able to pull the whole team to a medal most likely.
And with all teams having reached the intermediate now, here the full overview at half time:
1
Netherlands
36'17
2
Spain
+ 10
3
Germany
+ 20
4
Russia
+ 27
5
France
+ 28
6
Belgium
s.t.
7
Italy
+ 37
8
Portugal
+ 37
9
Great Britain
+ 38
10
Ukraine
+ 42
11
Slovenia
+ 45
12
Switzerland
+ 46
13
Australia
+ 49
14
USA
s.t.
15
Sweden
+ 52
16
Denmark
+ 55
17
Colombia
+ 57
18
Norway
+ 1'06
19
New Zealand
+ 1'07
20
Czech Republic
+ 1'08
21
Lithuania
+ 1'10
22
Canada
+ 1'15
23
Austria
+ 1'35
So we see Spain being able to get on the podium here, but not going faster than the Dutch, who are still in first position with Germany being 3rd at the moment.
Russia, France, Belgium and Italy all went strong and are not far behind Germany. Also Portugal, and Great Britain have chances, while the other teams would need a huge 2nd half. Biggest disappointment so far surely Australia. Spicked with good time trialists they are only in 13th. Also USA and Switzerland couldn`t profit from their individual riders.
So what teams did used the less energy yet and can keep a strong pace until the finish? And what teams did too much already? Let`s try to find the answer.
Final 6km for Germany and only Lang seems to struggle a bit. The former German champion is not made for the hills here but in total this is looking good for them to get a medal.
Also Portugal has 7 riders left with Mestre being a bit behind.
But as expected they can`t beat the Germans here and take 2nd behind them.
The Dutch were the fastest at the check point but 2 riders are struggling already! Westra and Elijzen have problems to follow the pace set by Posthuma at the moment.
Did they do too much too early? Or can they ride towards the gold medal with 6 riders only?
New Zealand is almost down to 5 riders already with 11km to go. Their intermediate already wasn`t very well. So they probably won`t improve.
Also Lithuania won`t beat the very best as they are too far behind. It`s more to avoid the last today.
How much faster would Sweden be able to be with Larsson?
For now this isn`t that important. Without him they are one of the slower teams.
But now the more important question! Where did the Dutch finish? Ahead of behind Germany?
1
Netherlands
1h25'12
2
Germany
+ 27
3
Portugal
+ 1'05
4
Sweden
+ 1'53
5
New Zealand
+ 2'09
6
Lithuania
+ 2'18
The answer is ahead! So we have the first result: Germany won`t get their home gold medal in 2013! And the Netherlands have beaten one opponent already to defend their title.
Canada is still complete. But this also is one explanation of their time. Except for Lithuania they finish behind all the other teams.
Colombia beats Sweden, New Zealand, Canada and Lithuania. But being 1'35 behind the Netherlands this is quite a lot and many teams should be able to kick them from their provisional 4th.
Norway also won`t have any impact on the medals as one of the slowest teams in 4th last at the moment.
Great Britain is the first. But just by a few seconds and quite a bit behind Portugal already. Not the best ride by the Brits today.
Switzerland is still almost complete as Cancellara can`t go full speed apparently. A small surprise though that they finish ahead of Great Britain today. Cancellara still had a huge impact on the team.
Still out of the medals as 4th.
France close to the finish. They were just 8s behind Germany at half time. Can they beat them on the line? At least all riders are together.
They go around the last corner and it will be very close. The road is long...too long for them. 10s in the end. But still on bronce medal course.
Russia was 4th at half time ahead of France and behind Germany. But they were down to five with 5km to go. And this also is shown in the final result as they fall back behind the French. Only 4th and out of the medals!
Austria was last and might also finish last in the end.
It`s btw. the only team being overtaken as the Spanish train is coming fast.
Spain was only 10s slower than the Netherlands and with still 8 riders left they look to be a big danger for them. Who will get the medals?
They go over the line together. But while Austria is indeed finishing behind all others, Team Spain is on the other end.
Or not really as they are still behind the Netherlands, who keep their provisional gold medal. Spain as 2nd at least beats Germany.
19s show the pure strength by the Dutch, while Germany is just 8s behind Spain.
Czech finish in the 2nd half of the ranking. Nothing spectacular by them, 1'46 behind the leader.
Australia might be one of the big disappointments. Despite being able to move up a bit eventually even a top10 isn`t reached here.
Ukraine is doing a bit better as 7th at the moment. Definitely not a bad result for them.
Slovenia is down to 6 within the final. 11th at the intermediate was above their strength and this is shown now. Only 4 teams were slower which means they will lose a lot of places in the end.
Italy as 7th before is still having all riders left. And as Russia showed weakness, it`s their chance to step up a bit. And they do pretty well. Provisional 5th ahead of Russia but behind France. So also not able to beat the big three.
USA coming to the finish and this wasn`t as good as their chances in the ITT. Somewhere in the middle in the end.
Eventually the last team to be able to get a medal. Can Belgium surprise here? As 6th before they were only 8s behind Germany.
But in the end it`s more than 30s and they lose a spot to Italy to finish 7th.
So the medals might be decided or can Denmark surprise with an impressive 2nd half.
Denmark was the last team at the start, so also the last team to finish. But as they were already 55s behind at the intermediate, it`s not a surprise that they finish behind the top places in the end. At least they can climb up to 13th.
So the new and old TTT champion are the Netherlands. Well deserved Gold medal winner ahead of Spain (silver) and Germany (bronce).
France, Italy, Russia and Belgium are the first losers but should try again next year.
So this was the start of the 2013 World Championships and the Dutch already collected their first gold medal. Will they be able to get more like last year? Stay tuned for the other events.
Germany one of the top favourites are on the road as first. Just like the Netherlands we see 8 brilliant time trialists and also a nice mix of puncheurs inside with Schumacher, Fothen or Keinath. The question is if Kittel, Schädlich or Barth can keep their pace over the climbs? At least they get full support by the crowd here in Stuttgart.
Portugal next. Rui Costa or Oliveira surely aren`t bad time trialists, but neither they are within the very best nor do they have the best support. So it`s one of those outsider teams needing a perfect day by their riders. 
The Netherlands are already the next team and so we will have an early fight for the gold medal. Their advantage might be the good balance. Almost all time trialist are also decent puncheurs and so they should do well on the uphill and straight part. As incumbent champion they of course have a lot of pressure to repeat their win.
New Zealand has one huge star in Sam Bewley. But despite him having his best season so far, time trialing is not his biggest strength. Bauer or Sergent are their better riders for today and lead one of the biggest outsiders. 
Lithuania as 5th team. Also one of the weaker as most of the riders usually have helper roles in their teams. Navardauskas probably their most known rider.
Sweden with their stars Lövkvist and Kessiakoff. But missing their top time trialist Gustav Larsson is a huge problem for them. This might take them the chance to get a better result.
Canada around routiniers Hesjedal and Meier. None of them is a top15 individual time trialist, so their chances are low. Still future is looking good with some younger talents such as Boily or Houle.
Colombia is more known for climbing than time trialing. Still they have sent a decent team here around stage racers Uran, Suaza, Serpa, Duarte or Henao. But actually a top10 would already be a very huge success.
Norway as next. Edvald Boasson Hagen might be disappointed to not being able to ride the ITT this year. TTT wise he has some support but his main focus is most likely the Road Race where he is one of the top favourites for the title.
Great Britain is having a pretty good time trial team here around Tennant, Bibby, Stannard and others. So they could surprise here with a good result. But chances obviously are higher in the Road Race with some top puncheurs.
Swiss has one outstanding rider in Fabian Cancellara. He is the team`s star and Switzerland`s best chance for a medal in the Worlds. As team it will be very difficult.
France is one of the favourite teams, that seems to be a bit forgotten behind the others. But with Coppel they have one of the very best individual time trialist and also the team around him has lots of great riders. Definitely a team to watch.
Russia as next favourite team. Kritskiy is having an awesome season so far, while Ignatiev already was more successful. Still both are excellent time trialists and also the others aren`t much weaker. 
Austria with one of the weakest squads. Denifl is the biggest name of course but as a team they woould need some kind of miracle to be honest. 
Spain was named as top favourite a lot of time. No surprise when seeing the names: Tenorio, Contador, Plaza, Sanchze Gil, Lloret, Intxausti, Madrazo and Abal. Not only top time trialists, also top stage racers. So they should do very well here on the hilly terrain.
Czech Republik has a good mix of experienced riders like Rabon or Kreuziger and some talents with König or Novak. In total not really a favourite but a very interesting team for the future.
Australia with Rogers is always a danger in any time trial. And as Bobridge, Ford, Olman and the others are great time trialists as well, they must be watched for sure. Their biggest disadvantage might be the lack of puncheurs as half of the team prefers the flat the most.
Ukraine is some kind of dark horse here. Popovych, Ratiy, Grivko speak for quality, but how good can they ride as a pretty mixed team as they don`t have 8 top class time trialists?
Slovenia has big names in the team such as Spilak, Braijkovic, Koren or Vrecer. But the other half of the team is pretty unknown. So they could do well here but more likely they will finish in the 2nd half.
Italy with Cunego, Nibali, Pozzato is ready for all events I guess. Time trialing is not their biggest strength but still they got a nice team here to fight for a good result. More interesting might be the road race with more or less all their riders being possible favourites.
USA with Taylor Phinney. One of the next top favourites for the ITT. Unfortunately for the team Dave Zabriskie isn`t participating as he could be the needed addition to fight for a medal. That said, the 2012 U23 ITT champion Eastman, Bookwalter and Donald aren`t the weakest neither.
Belgium did well last year and should also do well this year. 
Denmark starts the race. Some good time trialist here but no one being able to pull the whole team to a medal most likely. 
