Yes and yes @photos:Tim de Waele/Corbis and CyclingWeekly
Before we move on to the last Monument of the season, let’s reflect on what happened in Richmond. My deeply held fears of the American organizers making a mess of things were unrealized. The two cobbled climbs were spectacles and the resulting road races were pretty damn fine.
Personally, I don’t think the Worlds should ever end up in a bunch sprint. Sprinters should have their chance but the race should be so tough that even a flat course ends up in a fractured gasp for the line. The women’s finish was not a field sprint. Lizzy Armitstead led from the bottom of the last hill and made sure no one got past her for very long. Anna VDB was there but she was not going to win this one. Armitstead was probably the strongest/fastest in her field and kept it together to prove that.
Peter Sagan won from kilometers out, gaining time with each corner. He might not have been the strongest or fastest but he was most definitely the smartest. He sat in the field the whole race and then jumped everyone with a move that won the day.
Neither winner had a strong team for support. When it comes down to the final kilometers, it’s all legs, brains and heart.
It will be a pleasure seeing the rainbow stripes on these two for the next year.
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@Matt
The jewelry and nail polish on the women is always so awesome - such a contrast to the crushing of souls, as you say.
She's got a great poker face; here she is on the Oude Kwaremont:
Here she was leading the pack up while I shot on the Kruisberg in the 2014 Ronde
Alright people: we set up a petition to have the UCI change the rule preventing black shorts with championship jerseys. Help us get the word out and save Rule #15!
http://chn.ge/1QNlKHO
@frank
@frank
I reckon that image is a smoke screen - surely Oleg will go with a 'camo' version? :-)
@gilly
You are correct sir. The French U23 winner did just what Sagan did, lead it all the way from the steep cobbled climb, 23rd street (?). He didn't quite have the lead Sagan did but it was a killer finish too. No one quite bombs the corners like Sagan does.
@Neispants
Yes! I completely agree. He is a class act.
My Dad and I were in Richmond Sunday for the men's road race. It was awesome. You really do not get an appreciation for how fast they ride until you see it up close. The pros are from another planet as far as I'm concerned. Not only fast - but fast for 160 miles. Mind blowing. Seeing the team cars scream through the corners was pretty cool too.
Richmond did a great job and it was a great course to walk and see the riders come through at different sections of the race.
I got a quick video of Peter climbing off his bike right after the win, throwing his helmet and gloves into the crowd. People were going nuts screaming "Peter, Peter!".
https://youtu.be/WPbHy0ma-wc
@Gianni
What example would that be... to live as a tax exile in Monaco? To grope podium girls?
Seriously, the guy can ride a bike, no dispute. But I don't need lessons on world peace and harmony from multi-millionaire sports personalities.
And most of the people who praise him for saying something will do nothing about it anyway. Retweeting doesn't solve a lot.
This
foto Balint Hamvas BrakeThrough Media
@ChrisO
when one is asked to speak (Sagan) one may as well take that opportunity not to simply talk about themselves as the one and only