Reaching down in the drops for the last drop of the V
Three riders stand out in this photo: Sagan, Van Avarcan’t*, and Deggencobble in the drops, crushing it up the stupid-steep cobbled final climb at the 2015 Worlds in Richmond, Virginia. I’ve never thought much of Virginia, if at all, and I certainly never thought of Virginia’s many cobbled climbs. Goes to show that not everything below the Mason-Dixon Line is rubbish.
The photo says it all: only 66% of the riders climbing in the drops lost the World Championships, while 100% of the riders climbing on the hoods lost them. The science is conclusive: something about climbing in the drops gives you extra Awesome Speed.
From a traditional standpoint, I can’t say the US is the best place to host World Cycling Events. That said, the old Coors Classic was badass as shit, and both the CX and Road World Championships hosted here were easily the best in recent times in both disciplines. Merca: crushing it. So long as we don’t include “winning” within the concept of “crushing it”. But as far as hosting a great race? Nailed it.
Even less traditional is the Qatar Worlds location. As Gianni said, flat and cross winds. Very Dutchish or Flemishish, on the surface of it. Have you ever been in a sauna and had someone blow on you because they are an asshole? If you have, you will realize that in that sort of heat, adding wind makes the wet parts of your skin burn, not cool. In other words, cross winds in the desert is like racing in Belgium while Beelzebub chases you about with a flamethrower.
At least doffing leg warmers and extra jerseys won’t slow anyone down.
Get your picks in by the time the countdown clock goes to nil, and good luck. Oh, and study the start list, as if it helps. Remember: a Don Walker frame is on offer for the winner of the VSP! A custom steel frame!
*Except he Van Avercould at the Olympics. Quite the time to pull out the “No More Second Places” card.
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The French used to be good in the desert. May it be so again.
VSP PICKS:
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One more tweak.
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Kittel having a temper tantrum at missing out on the break. Threw his water bottle at a passing team car !
I flipped open the laptop at 175km (what timing) and was thinking, dang, already it's full gas in the peloton spread across the road in middle of desert??? And they made a right turn and KABOOM… I saw why… Belgians are classic. Can imagine the Germans I guess can still come together w/the front group in the circuit though.
Degenkolb not a happy bunny!
And I arrive home from a ride to see Degenkolb squirting Debusschere in the face for stalling the chase.
And Demare in the group over 6 minutes back. The French Foreign Legion weeps from the grave.
Germans used to speak about Stalingrad, but from now on they may use also Doha instead.
I saw the Prophet driving in a car during race with some sheikh on his side, I wonder if they talked about Rules as a proposed legislation for the Emirate...
Does anyone have a link to a fucking live feed that works? I'm in the U.S. and can't goddamn find one. FUCK!!!!!!!