This years worlds are in Spain, Catalonia more specifically. The road race is a 235k ride around the town of Artesa de Segre. 5 named climbs on the course, the last of them, the second ascent of the Coll de Comois peaks 38k from the end. There is one small unmarked climb after that about 10k from the finish.
Despite the flat finish it is the climbers that top the favorites list:
Startlist
10k gone and 10 riders in the break. They are O’Loughlin (IRL), Duric (SRB), Kumara (SRI), Feiereisen (LUX), Kasperkiewicz (POL), Wibisono (INA), Sajnok (POL), Sipos (HUN), Nommela (EST) and Fetter (HUN). Two more riders are trying to bridge up: Abdul Halil (MAS) and Zmorka (URK). They have 1’08 to close and 49 seconds on the peloton. There were some additional attacks but the peloton seems to think 12 away is enough.
The first named climb is the Castell de Fontllonga, 4.7k at 5.3%. The named 12 are all together and have opened up a 5’35 lead over the peloton with 202k to go.
The peloton have that down to 4’24 as they hit the second named climb, the first ascent of the Coll de Comiols which is 19.5% but at a gentle 3.2% average. This is also the final climb but from another direction. Hong Kong, South Africa, Venezuela and Japan leading the chase.
The leaders crest the top with a 5-minute edge. The road to the right is the direction they will come from on the final ascent.
The peloton is on the third named climb, Mas Santmarc, they have the break's lead down to 4’13 with 118k to go. On the front for the peloton are Matsuda (JPN), Oka (JPN), Leung (HKG), Alarcon (VEN), and Bester (RSA). Mas Santmarc is 11k at 3.5% but the opening 3 kilometers are much harder.
The break’s lead is down to 2’32 as they start the hardest climb of the race, the Coll de Bóixols (13.6k at 5.5%). The hardest stretch comes in the last 3k. Only two riders dropped from the peloton so far – Cheung (HKG) and Sillankorva (FIN). Being the first man dropped in the B Worlds could well be the highlight of the Finn's career.
About half way up the climb the lead is 2’07. Fetter has become the first man dropped from the break. Peloton being led by Ryuki (JPN), Abreu (VEN), Shirota (JPN), and Main (RSA). 77k left in the race.
With about 1k to climb there are just 4 riders left at the front of the break: Kasperkiewicz (POL), Sipos (HUN), Wibisono (INA) and Feiereisen (LUX). Peloton led by Abreu at 2’31.
Feiereisen is dropped before summit and the other 3 hit the 65k to go mark with a lead of 2’17 on an 82-rider peloton.
The first attacks from the peloton occur on a small rise just before the main descent of the Coll de Bóixols. Azman (MAS), Ndayisenga (RWA) and Aular (VEN) are the attackers and they quickly catch Kumara (SRI), coming back from the break. Smith (NZL) looks like he wants to chase them.
Smith is unable to join them but Chaiyasombat (THA) bridges over. They have just 15 seconds on the peloton which is being led by De Vos (CAN).
The attackers are caught but the high paces causes a split in the peloton. Chaiyasombat is the Thai rider dropping back to the 2nd peloton to support his leader Phodingam.
All the action means that as the front 3 reach the Coll de Comiols, for a second time, with 47k to go, their lead is just 1’12. A 26-rider chase group has 32 seconds on the 2nd peloton where the Thais are trying to close the gap. Monsalve (VEN) is probably the biggest name to miss the split but Aular is up front. The climb is 9.5k at 4.7%, with the second half the much harder section.
As the two chase groups come back together, De Vos (CAN), Misbah (MAS) and Hadi (RWA) launch an attack.
Smith (NZL) and Roman (SRB) counter attack and quickly pass the other 3 attackers. This duo are 48 seconds behind the leaders, 13 seconds up on the original threesome and 29 seconds up on the 44-rider peloton which is being led by Fung (HKG).
With 5k still to climb Smith and Roman reach the breakaway. The other 3 attackers are caught and the gap is just 41 seconds.
De Vos closes the gap just 1k later. A 45-rider lead group now at the front of the race. Mano (THA) about to be dropped.
Rohendi (INA) launches the next attack with Petelin (LUX) and Brozyna (POL) on his wheel. Lead group down to 40. Still a few k to climb.
Those 3 reach the top with a 36 second edge. Kinoshita (JPN) was leading the chase but has now attacked. Lead group at 30 in addition to the 4 on the attack. All the big names still present.
Kinoshita bridges up and with 33k to go the 4 leaders have 24 seconds on a 27-rider chase group. Sequera (VEN) leading the chase.
Sequera proves the better descender and he brings the race back together with just over 25k to go.
Roman (SRB) launches another attack and this time he has lots of followers. Dunbar (IRL) is the last man to scurry across to the group.
20k to go. The Roman attack pulls clear 14 riders: Roman (SRB), Petelin (LUX), Choi (HKG), Amezawa (JPN), Meintjes (RSA), Aular (VEN), Chiarello (BRA), Smith (NZL), Shikai (CHN), Dunbar (IRL), Ndayisenga (RWA), Burke (CAN), Azman (MAS) and Phodingam (THA). All the big names in the group, chasing behind are Indonesia and Poland who are trying to close the 21 second gap to this group.
15k to go and after multiple prior attacks failed to gain traction Burke launches an attack and gets a gap from the front group. The group has lacked coherence as only some riders were willing to work, Behind Kinoshita (JPN) and Monsalve (VEN) have been among the riders trying to close the gap despite having teammates in the front group. Venezuela and Japan both have strong teams though, and might feel better with more cards to play.
Burke has a small gap as they pass the finish line, Choi leading the chase. They will now do a short loop around Artesa de Segre, including that final small climb.
With 1k still to climb, Burke has 8 seconds on s now 28- rider chase group, the two groups having merged. Meintjes (RSA) has just launched a counter.
Meintjes' counter doesn't go anywhere but doss close the remaining gap, so under the 10k banner Burke is back in the group as Shikai launches an attack. The front group is officially 26 but it is stretched out.
Shikai’s attack splits off 12 riders, it is the same as the previous escape, minus Roman and Petelin and with 7.5k to Chiarello launches an attack.
Ndayisenga brings back Chiarello and launches an attack of his own. Monsalve and Brozyna have bridged up to the group of favorites.
5k banner. Shikai (CHN) has made it up to Ndayisenga (RWA). They have a 9-second lead.
2.6k and they still have 8 seconds. Choi (HKG) and Amezawa (JPN) leading the chase but they don’t seem willing to fully commit.
2k to go Choi leads the catch. Aular (VEN) on his wheel and then Amezawa. Unfortunately, they are just catching a lapped group. Ignore the Rwandan rider in the front left.
Under the 1k banner Choi (on the rail), Amezawa and Aular are sprinting. Ignore the two right behind them. Meintjes and Ndayisenga are the closest among those who matter.
700 meters, Amezawa has the lead. Azman has charged into second, then Aular, Choi, Ndayisenga, Meintjes and Burke. It looks like it will be between these 7.
400 meters, Amezawa still has the lead but Azman is closing. Choi and Ndayisenga fading, Phodingam up to 6th.
Few hundred meters for Amezawa, he looks like he has it.
Amezawa (JPN) adds a B Road Race title to his Pro Tour medal. Azman (MAS) second, a great tactical race by him but he didn’t have quite enough at the end. Aular (VEN) 3rd.
Burke (CAN) 4th, Phodingam (THA) 5th, then Smith (NZL) and Chiarello (BRA) come late to take 6th and 7th. Meintjes (RSA) edges Dunbar (IRL) for 8th. Shikai takes 10th for China.
