2011 Copenhagen World Championships: Elite Men Road Race

[Boeing]

On this parcours you can keep dreaming I'm afraid

dont be afraid.

its ok

 

[Libertine Seguros]

That's what the other stronger teams like Belgium, Spain, Germany and GB are going to do as well, let the others work for them.

That's what they should do of course, but I don't see that any of them would have anybody who could do the same threat that Visconti is. Thomas is probably GB's best shot but too important to the Cav leadout; Spain could put Rojas up there if they're really going all out for Freire. Belgium... well, is anybody going to let Gilbert get in the break of the day? And who are Germany going to put up there, Martens?

The more I see this parcours, the more I think it's futile, and I might not bother watching until the last 5km.

 

[El Pistolero]

That's what they should do of course, but I don't see that any of them would have anybody who could do the same threat that Visconti is. Thomas is probably GB's best shot but too important to the Cav leadout; Spain could put Rojas up there if they're really going all out for Freire. Belgium... well, is anybody going to let Gilbert get in the break of the day? And who are Germany going to put up there, Martens?

The more I see this parcours, the more I think it's futile, and I might not bother watching until the last 5km.

Nick Nuyens and Van Avermaet are bigger threats than Visconti.

 

[dlwssonic]

Nick Nuyens and Van Avermaet are bigger threats than Visconti.

I think I might just have an orgasm if GVA wins.

 

[mb2612]

I think I might just have an orgasm if GVA wins.

Why is GVA rated as a sprinter on these forums? I've never seen him do anything.

My fear is that the US will be the Garmin to GB's HTC, pulling back the breaks only for Farrar to disappear leaving GB with a full team.

 

[l.Harm]

Just going to watch last final two laps, I won't get sleepy then

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Nick Nuyens and Van Avermaet are bigger threats than Visconti.

Don't rate van Avermaet as a bigger threat than Visconti, probably because his team leader will probably screw him over by attacking if a group containing GVA but not him is away near the end anyway.

Nuyens is a good call though, I'd forgotten about him.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

Why is GVA rated as a sprinter on these forums? I've never seen him do anything.

My fear is that the US will be the Garmin to GB's HTC, pulling back the breaks only for Farrar to disappear leaving GB with a full team.

hes only rated by bmc fans.

he is a decent rider, but no way he wins this wc.

 

[Nielsa]

Nuyens is a good call though, I'd forgotten about him.

That's ok, no one has seen him since the Vuelta TTT.

 

[taiwan]

I think I might just have an orgasm if GVA wins.

The uphill might help him vs the pure sprinters, but I think he's more of an attacking rider and needs a much more selective course. A few of his strongest performances this year were attacking on the Poggio, surviving the break at LBL and in Clasica San Sebastian - you get the idea.

 

[Kvinto]

I think we'll have a bunch of about 30-50 riders on the finish.
Cavendish. I see his chances to be involved in a bunch sprint as 50/50 and if he will be there the profile of the last 400-500m (which is more suitable for a powerful sprinter), can level his chances with the likes of Hushovd or Greipel.
Hushovd. Definitely can do it again but this year he can face stronger rivals on the finish line.
Freire. The course is designed for him: 280km long, with some difficulties but not that hard to bring to a hilly classic finish. It's his "now or never".
Greipel. Seems to be in the good form and from what we saw in Milan-SanRemo he can be strong in the races of that long.
Bennati. Another one who can do well there but whether he can win? i dunno...
Sagan. One of the favourites but I think the race will not be selective enough for him. Anyway the profile of the finish will level the chances of many strong riders so why not Sagan?
Gilbert. I wonder what will he choose: almost unrealizable try to create a late break against so many sprinting trains, or will be involved in a sprint where he also can get some medal (though in this case he will not be a favourite he is used to be).
Goss. Seems to be out of form.
Haussler. if he has the legs then he is among the biggest favourites, but his form is unknown even rather bad.
Hagen. Don't believe. The race is too long for him. Every time he has started 250km and more race as one of the favourites he failed.
Farrar. I don't believe in him and his form, he should prove me wrong... if he can.
R.Feillu. A dark horse.
G.Thomas. I wish he can work for himself, I'd like to see what he could manage in a team without Cav.

 

[vcampbell]

Will end up in a bunch sprint, but no way that Cavendish will win it. The last 500 meter will be too much for him. It's more likely that someone like Hushovd or Sagan will be the winner.
But my hope is Leukemans after the peloton catches Gilbert.

 

[luckyboy]

I will be surprised if someone other than Hushovd, Gilbert, Sagan, Freire, Cav or Greipel wins.

 

[euanli]

Why is GVA rated as a sprinter on these forums? I've never seen him do anything.

My fear is that the US will be the Garmin to GB's HTC, pulling back the breaks only for Farrar to disappear leaving GB with a full team.

But Millar is riding for GB.

 

[zapata]

I'm hoping for freire. Him or bennati. Gilbert and Cancellara are riders who really ought to get at least one rainbow jersey in their career, but I don't think tomorrow will be for them.

Ps: I know cancellara got rainbow jerseys at home, but TT champion is just not the same.. I'd really like to see him win the road race one day.

 

[Sophistic]

Dont see why Hushovd is a fav, he isnt among the most explosive anymore and he is certainly not among the lightest. Hushovd has incredible endurance for a sprinter but this isnt gonna help him here as the finish will last only 30s and the speed is gonna be close to 60km/h. If it comes down to a bunch sprint: Cav-Greipel-EBH

 

[b.broadhurst]

Cav will win this easily, he has the best team and he proved stage 5 of tour de france that he can win an uphill finish!!!

 

[Kvinto]

Dont see why Hushovd is a fav, he isnt among the most explosive anymore and he is certainly not among the lightest. Hushovd has incredible endurance for a sprinter but this isnt gonna help him here as the finish will last only 30s and the speed is gonna be close to 60km/h. If it comes down to a bunch sprint: Cav-Greipel-EBH

maybe because in such races Endurance + Experience > Explosivity + Lightness?

 

[ParfaitAmour]

Pretty sure it's going to be Cav. Or EBH

Would rather feel that there were more in contention for it though.

 

[Dancing On The Pedals]

Will end up in a bunch sprint, but no way that Cavendish will win it. The last 500 meter will be too much for him. It's more likely that someone like Hushovd or Sagan will be the winner.
But my hope is Leukemans after the peloton catches Gilbert.

Cav can win provided he gets the mother of all lead outs from G and is able to leave his sprint as late as possible. For that to happen, they will need at least 3 or 4 of the team still there (as I think Wiggins said in one of his interviews) at the final corner, and for them not to be in the wind too early. That will depend on whether lots of other people (thinking maybe Hushovd/Sagan etc who don't have the strongest or largest teams) try and sit on Cav's wheel - as GB may then find themselves forced to the front.

 

[zapata]

maybe because in such races Endurance + Experience > Explosivity + Lightness?

His weight certainly won't matter much, and he's got enough power to do well on this finish. But honestly, I'm not sure I even want Hushovd to win again. I was very happy when he won last year, but two years in a row, that would be too much. Hope he'll lead out Hagen.

 

[theyoungest]

maybe because in such races Endurance + Experience > Explosivity + Lightness?

On a normal worlds course, yes. On this one, any half decent pro can stay in the bunch for 250 k without flexing a muscle. The finish is good for Hushovd, the rest of the course isn't.

 

[vcampbell]

Cav can win provided he gets the mother of all lead outs from G and is able to leave his sprint as late as possible. For that to happen, they will need at least 3 or 4 of the team still there (as I think Wiggins said in one of his interviews) at the final corner, and for them not to be in the wind too early. That will depend on whether lots of other people (thinking maybe Hushovd/Sagan etc who don't have the strongest or largest teams) try and sit on Cav's wheel - as GB may then find themselves forced to the front.

Leaving the sprint as late as possible is a good idea, but it not depends on the british team and Cav, it depends for example on Gilbert, and he will not wait, because what you have written. For everyone like Hushovd, Sagan, Gavazzi, Gilbert etc is the earlier is the best.

 

[Kvinto]

On a normal worlds course, yes. On this one, any half decent pro can stay in the bunch for 250 k without flexing a muscle. The finish is good for Hushovd, the rest of the course isn't.

I don't believe in the existence of any 250km and more race which any half decent pro can ride without flexing a muscle. If the course was more selective it would be better for Thor but it would also be better for Gilbert. As i've mentioned before on the finish Hushovd will face stronger rivals than it was in Geelong but no way it means he's not among the favourites at all.

 

[jens_attacks]

at least they should have made it 300 km,god damn stupid organizers....
it will be a crash festival i fear and then a bunch sprint,horrific route i hope it will be for the last time.