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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@plynie
Nope. 20 official finishers per the site I have. Still a killer, though.
Liked the quote from Thomas of GB, "not really the weather for Bradley today".
Aye.
Best race day in awhile. Watching Worlds Road Race while working on our own Service Course headquarters. Listening to a race in Italian seems to help keep the work moving too.
@strathlubnaig
Brad needs to MTFU and check out Rule #5. It is well and good winning TdF in summer sun but what has he won in the wet? Never won at Crystal Palace, a proper hard race, what chance a damp race in Italy? Back to the boards I'd say.
Supermen in your armchairs much?
@strathlubnaig
Puke. Sir Bradley's such a princess these days.
My camera is shite, sorry for the lousy photos.
@Sauterelle Nice way to get in there and get some photos! Valverde, not so happy.
Leadout gets it. Someone was thinking. The way Costa won stages in the Tour, he should have been talked about more. Not that I did. Well done.
Didn't RC win at least one of his TDF stages in the rain this year too? Needless to say, they should have known he'd be there for the finale.
whats the general consensus from everyone - a classic? A race ruined by weather? or made by weather?
thinking? i think not..although that espana crew had a potential future boss looking on.
a hard mans day! i did not get to catch the live feed and had to read the live coverage after..not a good read when crashes take out favs..
bike racing; 40% prep, 40% mind, 20% luck. used my lucky dice today!