Welcome to Paarl, South Africa for the U23 World Championships! The biggest race of the season for some young talents and the mountainous route will hopefully provide some exciting racing for us today.
Australia’s Morton will have a once in a lifetime opportunity to do an Avenir-U23 Worlds double while French Lecuisinier will have an opportunity to make up for the loss in France. However, other teams could spoil the party, especially Germany brings a very strong team, although they don’t have the strongest leaders to match their depth in Herklotz and Vasyliv. Of course though, these are the world championships and everyone will want to give it their all.
Some riders aren’t intimidated by the 250km journey that awaits and immediately attack with Edwards (AUS) the first off the front. Of course a large number of riders want to be in the break and their attacks mean nobody gets away as Coquard (FRA) returns to setting the pace.
The riders sit up to catch their breath before Ixehuati (World) goes and is followed by Flores (America), Altanzul (Asia), Zharoven (BLR), Skjerping (NOR), Teshome (ERI) and Watson (AUS). The seven riders open up a gap on the peloton.
They come back together again before Mraouni (Africa) gets away, a few riders chase but eventually Becirovic (CRO), Lestido (ESP) and Nsengimana (RWA) join him. They manage to establish a stable gap of over a minute on the peloton.
With 220km left at the top of the first climb, we see the first rider to drop off the pace, Carignano (ITA).
The next 70km pass without incident until Henao (America) sets off in pursuit of the breakaway with 150km and five climbs remaining. The break currently has a 7’37 lead on the peloton.
Over the fourth summit of the climb Henao (America) catches the break. They still have 133km left although they do have 8’47 on the bunch, who are now led by the Dutch team.
Germany have taken up pace making and their work, with small assistance from Netherlands, France and Australia has brought the break back to 4’30 and reduced the peloton to just 54 riders with 70km remaining. No big names are behind, however.
43km left on the penultimate ascent and Mraouni (Africa) attacks splitting the break with just Henao (America) and Becirovic (CRO) capable of chasing. The now 34 rider bunch is just 1 minute behind them though, so it’s likely for television time rather than the victory today.
There’s still 40km left but Oliver (NED) doesn’t mind and goes on the attack, Dzhus (UKR) and Lecuisinier (FRA) both follow him, while Morton (AUS) can’t let Lecuisinier (FRA) get away and begins to chase, just pulling off the front of the peloton as Hoelgaard (NOR) can’t hold his wheel.
Morton (AUS) and the German team ended up pulling the peloton or what was left of it up to the leaders catching the morning break at the same time, there are now just 20 riders away, including: Oliver (NED), Lecuisinier (FRA), Morton (AUS), Dzhus (UKR), Becirovic (CRO), Henao (America), Mraouni (Africa), Egger (GER), Vasyliv (GER), Kudus (ERI), Galta (NOR), Herklotz (GER), Carapaz (ECU), Formolo (ITA), Kung (SUI), Kolar (SLO), Pereyra (ARG), Ndayisenga (RWA), Hoelgaard (NOR) and Eyob (ERI). The next group is already 2 minutes behind and not looking like they’ll catch up, so these riders will likely contest the win.
Becirovic (CRO) isn’t letting this go without a fight and attacks again on the descent, you have to admire his fighting spirit. There are just 20 kilometres left to race.
Becirovic (CRO) is pulled back as the riders begin the final climb, Oliver (NED) leads the bunch onto the early slopes.
Herklotz (GER) launches as an attack, which Oliver (NED) uses as a springboard to get away himself as Herklotz (GER) gets caught and the group splits to 11 riders, just Morton (AUS), Kudus (ERI), Vasyliv (GER), Lecuisinier (FRA), Dzhus (UKR), Galta (NOR), Egger (GER), Herklotz (GER), Ndayisenga (RWA), Hoelgaard (NOR) and Formolo (ITA) remain in this group plus Oliver (NED) up the road.
12km left Lecuisinier (FRA) attacks! Only Kudus (ERI) can follow as Morton (AUS) sets a steady tempo to try to bring him back.
Oliver (NED) passes under the 10km banner with 40 seconds on those behind, while Hoelgaard (NOR), Formolo (ITA) and Ndayisenga (RWA) have been dropped behind. It’s important to mention that of the 9 leading riders only the trio of Germans have teammates.
Morton (AUS) calmly makes his way up to Lecuisinier (FRA) and Kudus (ERI) just riding the rest of the group off his wheel, Vasyliv (GER) leads the next group, which Formolo (ITA) has made his way back to, just 15 seconds behind. Oliver (NED) still has a 45 second lead though.
Oliver (NED) has entered the final 5 kilometres with a 1’17 lead, Morton (AUS), Lecuinsinier and Kudus (ERI) are all looking at each other and not willing to chase.
Morton (AUS) wants to set off solo to chase Oliver (NED) but Lecusinier tries to follow, although eventually giving up and letting the Australian ride away. Kudus (ERI) is also left behind by this attack but quickly makes his way back to Lecusinier again.
Oliver (NED) enters the final 2 kilometres with a 1’19 lead on Morton (AUS), he’ll be hard to catch now.
Oliver (NED) enters the final kilometre and can now savour his victory, Moton is giving everything in the background, but the gap is actually growing.
Daan Oliver (NED) can perform a victory salute before crossing the line the Under 23 World Champion! A great ride today by him.
Morton (AUS) will be disappointed with his second place today but it was still a great ride from him.
Lecuisinier (FRA) just beats Kudus (ERI) for the final podium spot, Lecuisinier (FRA) may be disappointed with this performance, although Kudus (ERI) will likely be happy with that high place.
Herklotz (GER) rounds out the top five beating Galta (NOR) nearing the end. Formolo (ITA) came back near the end strongly to beat Vasyliv (GER) and Dzhus (UKR) while Egger (GER) rounds out the top 10.
Daan Oliver tops the podium as the new Under 23 world champion, truly a great ride from him today ahead of what could be a great future.
