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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View Comments
@Rick
Brilliant!
@xyxax
Fucking love it! That's the way a teammate is supposed to do it. Degenkolb looked so fucking classless and Debusschere just wiped it off. Guess that was a Degenswab, eh???
Watched the whole thing live on BBC Red Button. Glued to it throughout, to be honest I expected it to be crap, but found it gripping. One wheel relinquished at a critical point blew the whole thing apart. Disappointed to see the likes of Stannard & Thomas distanced so early but it wasn't bad compared with some countries' efforts. Surprised that the Belgians didn't try to break it up a bit more at the end, I personally didn't think Boonen would beat Cav, Kristoff, Sagan or even Viviani in a bunch sprint, but he obviously thought he would. I so wanted Cav to win but he just got unlucky in the sprint. Credit to Sagan though, he's done the jersey proud over the last year and no doubt will do the same again. Chapeau Sir.
@Pali65
This is great! Fucking Sagan truly is Sagain and he is still awesome!!! Best thing for road cycling in years!!!
@Buck Rogers
Totally agree, I've always liked Degenkolb but he went down in my estimation there. I could imagine Debuscherre saying "I'm just doing my job, better than you lot are doing yours, so suck it up fella"
@Buck Rogers
Absolutely. He should have squirted those behind who let a Belgian have that wheel (confidently pretending to know what I'm talking about). EVERYONE knew that a split was possible going in and the Germans and French got distracted by our respective recent arrivals. Shoulda known.
@Pali65
Just a guess here but I bet that Slovacks know how to celebrate properly :) Congrats to one of your own (Sagain).
@Buck Rogers
If you listen carefully, Degenkolb says: "He is your team mate." Presumably referring to Greipel and Debusshere being trade team mates on Lotto Soudal. I always wonder how much trade team dynamics can influence World Championship and Olympic races.
for all the bullshit that got tossed around about the poor quality of the Qatar course, this race certainly produced a quality podium! Sagan, Cav, and Tommeke? that is some RARE company, a fucking Mount Rushmore of the 21st century peloton.
...and of COURSE the Belgians forced the split. Boonen said two days ago this wouldn't come down to a bunch gallop, due to crosswinds. i suppose he would know!