This is big. This is the race that decides the arc-en-ciel  jersey for the next year. It is the best looking jersey. It carries the most baggage. It also brings the most respect. The World Championship is a circuit race of attrition. In Ponferrada Spain it’s an 182 km loop done seven times, with a total of 2142 m of climbing. Is it a climber’s course, not exactly, nor a sprinter’s course.

I love the tension of trade teams wearing their national team jerseys; personal ambition and teamwork fight to the finish. I’m not jinxing anyone’s chances here, but repeating as World Champion is difficult, unless someone is the dominant rider of her generation. And even for her it will be very hard. But I’m not naming names here.

Here is the start list. If one delgados this, they need to check their priorities in life. We know the prizes are awesome, bragging rights, more awesome.

[vsp_results id=”31126″/]