The world championship road race stands out among all other one-day races as the one where the winner is awarded both a curse and a jersey to carry for the next 12 months. It also inspires way too many riders to wear white bibs, which is an alarming trend in itself and one which I hope Brian Cookston, the new UCI President, prioritizes over the doping problem – let’s face facts: white shorts on rainy days does more damage to Cycling’s image than any doping scandal ever could.
Be that as it may, I often find myself wondering if its easier to win a Grand Tour or a one-day race. Certainly, winning a Grand Tour requires focus, discipline, and performance across a wide range of terrain and over a long period of time, but it also offers the opportunity to recover from a bad moment and to take advantage of the days where the terrain or discipline suits the qualities of the rider. A one-day race, on the other hand, is shorter but also less controllable. All in, no net; a moment’s inattention could be disastrous and in an instant your chances could disappear up the road.
The World Championships are also the only race which has brought Mary V to tears after narrowly losing the title. The Dutch don’t cry easily, especially not the ones who bleed pure V.
The Worlds are always a live wire of a race; the national teams mean the riders are riding for and against their usual teammates. Team unity is always a question, and loyalties are hard to predict. All for one and one for all, until a mate goes up the road and suddenly things start looking blurry. Throw in a circuit race, a big climb you ride 17 times, a steep ramp about V km from finish, and you’ve got yourself a race Nostradamus would have a chore predicting.
The Men set out in what is predicted to be horrendous weather on Sunday, September 29. Check the start list, rattle the bones, and put your picks in by the time the clock goes to zero. Good luck.
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I don't think valverde will be happy with JRod and his double attack after Nibbles was good enough to set up Valverde. Magnus Bakstedt saying a Spaniard not wearing rainbow is unforgiveable with two riders in the finale.
@Donnie Bugno
Yeah: that's woeful. Even worse than the Italians burning their matches so early. They played it brilliantly, launching Nibali, but then they left him pretty isolated. Worse than both: the Belgians who controlled and controlled, only to watch the whole race get away from them. Worse than even the Belgians: the Brits. Good lord: HTFU! And the Irish. In fact, for all the fuss, not a good race for the Anglos in general...
@Donnie Bugno
I think the Spanish figured that if it came together for a 4 up sprint, Valverde would be the fastest, so that's why Purito went on the attack again. They were so focused on isolating Nibbles that they all let Costa sit on the wheels. When he went, Valverde said he couldn't follow. Cheers to Costa for a smart race.
@Steampunk
Well if I had to ride past warm showers every twenty minutes after five hours in the rain i think i would take a DNF too. Mind you i don't recall collecting a paycheck as a bike rider. Poor showing GB.
Purito and Costa were both quoted saying that Purito wanted Costa to pass him. Costa said no dice. Much better to attack from behind. My hat is off to Nibali. He proved in the Vuelta and in this race that he is definitely not a quitter. Unfortunately, his lack of a good sprint limits his strategic options.
@imakecircles
Yes brilliant move by Costa. Commentary never mentioned him though he sat for 10k behind Vaverde.
@Weldertron
Not sure of largest DNF in WCRR but 1989 had 42 finishers out of 190 starters and the 1980 brutal race had 15 finishers out of 107 starters! So those had a higher DNF rate than this one.
@Buck Rogers The 1979 Liege-Bastogne-Liege had 21 finishers out of 174 starters. Hinault won that by 9 minutes over second place.
@Buck Rogers
Pretty sure the '95 race in Colombia had less than 10 finishers.
Hell, I thought he wanted to know only about WCRR's.
What about that 2010 Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne during the hurricane? Only around 20 finishers in that one as well.
But the 1980 WCRR is considered to be one of the hardest, killer races of the modern era, even including the '79 LBL. Over 7.5 hours and only 15 finishers. That is insane!