2013 Road World Championships: Men's Road Race, Lucca-Firenze 272.2 km

[Bavarianrider]

 

[Afrank]

my bet is on colombian guys, betancur could do best of them. There is only question if he can hold his shape till late september.


I'm quite curious, how sagan will show there. His team manager has been talking about some special training in US to get him in shape for WC. If he's there in the end, I'd be surprised, however not being a favourite for a change could suite him well. I think it will be all about how hard will the race be made by the climbers, especially nibali, spanish and colombian guys. If they just watch each other, then they could very easilly be surprised in the by some puncher, especially with somebody with excellent descending skill, like Sagan in example.

One problem with Sagan is his preparation for worlds. Going to the Vuelta is the best preparation a rider can get for worlds, and he may not want to do that with already having competed in the Tour. It would be good if he went to the Vuelta for at least part of the race and left early like Cav did in 2011.

Sagan could definitely be a possible wildcard for the race, if he can get over the climbs with the main group than he will be the big danger in a sprint.

 

[Pulpstar]

Seems like the change from the original course posted cuts out climbs 2 and 3 on the run up ? Don't think it changes the flavour much at all. Marginal gain for puncheur types, marginal loss for pure climbers maybe.

Looks great

 

[maltiv]

One problem with Sagan is his preparation for worlds. Going to the Vuelta is the best preparation a rider can get for worlds, and he may not want to do that with already having competed in the Tour. It would be good if he went to the Vuelta for at least part of the race and left early like Cav did in 2011.

Sagan could definitely be a possible wildcard for the race, if he can get over the climbs with the main group than he will be the big danger in a sprint.

So far Sagan has never been in shape during that part of the season though. Earlier due to accumulated fatigue after long seasons, last year mostly due to excessive drinking after TDF...

 

[melkemugg]

Cant wait to see Nibbles in the Rainbow shirt at TdF 2014.

Special and hard stage this year.

 

[Pulpstar]

Could Big Phil retain his title here ? What odds !

 

[barmaher]

I think Sagan has no chance on this course. Philip Gilbert is stretching it. You need to look at GC contenders and climbers with a kick.

Andy Shleck of 09 to 11 would love this course.

 

[Ferminal]

Oh, they made the TT a proper distance too. Hopefully inspires future hosts to do the same.

 

[all_in]

I think Sagan has no chance on this course. Philip Gilbert is stretching it. You need to look at GC contenders and climbers with a kick.

Andy Shleck of 09 to 11 would love this course.

Nah.The descent from Fiesole is quite technical.

 

[Escarabajo]

Colombia will have nine riders. For the first time we would go as one of the favorites IMO.

 

[all_in]

Colombia will have nine riders. For the first time we would go as one of the favorites IMO.

Will be masacre.Henao,Uran,Quintana,Betancur,Duarte,Chaves,Atapuma probably are certain.Chaves will be very good later in year.Duarte showed a good form in the 3rd week of the Giro.






Henao will be in position of the Vuelta winner =)).

 

[roundabout]

Hmm, looks tough, but easier than I had initially thought.

 

[Pulpstar]

Italy vs Spain vs Columbia methinks. Nibali maybe favourite with the descending finish perhaps.

Australia to be in the break !

 

[Eshnar]

Looks like the RR it's shorter than originally planned (272.2 vs 279+). I'll edit the title to correct the length.

 

[Lupetto]

Colombia will have nine riders. For the first time we would go as one of the favorites IMO.

Colombia only has eight WT riders, so eight riders will be the maximum they can enroll.

 

[Netserk]

I like that of the 16.57km circuit only 4km is flat.

 

[Climbing]

One of the hardest course of modern years.
Reading some comments I wonder if some guys here have never rode a bike...

 

[Eyeballs Out]

It seems like every Worlds course now has that long run-in to the circuit which dilutes the difficulty of the race as a whole. The circuit here is hard but there is a similar amount of total climbing to Varese; less than Mendrisio and a lot less than Stuttgart

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Road Race 272 km's.

Cut the team size to max 5 or 6 and the winner will be the strongest rider for sure.

 

[ILovecycling]

Cut the team size to max 5 or 6 and the winner will be the strongest rider for sure.

Very good idea,and the best for Colombia

 

[Pentacycle]

Cut the team size to max 5 or 6 and the winner will be the strongest rider for sure.

Why reduce the team sizes? I have little doubt the strongest will win no matter what.

 

[Escarabajo]

Very good idea,and the best for Colombia

Well, this is the first year that we are allowed to have 9 so I'd prefer if we don't apply that rule anymore.

 

[Escarabajo]

Colombia only has eight WT riders, so eight riders will be the maximum they can enroll.

Ooops. Thanks for the info.

Don't like the rule now.

 

[del1962]

Ooops. Thanks for the info.

Don't like the rule now.

I don't think it is restricted to World Tour Riders, Tiernen Locke rode for GB at last World Championships.

 

[del1962]

Looking at the profile and Gilberts succeses in Lombardia, I see him as bring a major challenger