2013 World Championships Firenze. Who will win?

[Descender]

The most exciting worlds course since Boyacá,

 

[jens_attacks]

Do you think Di Luca will start?

nah i guess he will retire

italia will still have an uber strong team. michele,basso,cunego,nibali and delfino

 

[The Hitch]

The one that was won by your favourite GT stage designer

 

[Pentacycle]

I think that'll be Via Trento. Although it might be too short (150m)

Yeah, uphill he should only try to follow the real punchers, but if the race becomes very tactical Cancellara could win by just blowing away all those little riders.

Do you think Breschel could regain his 2008-'10 strength? He was very good in Mendrisio after all. Or what about Kolobnev, the Schlecks, CAS? The old CSC will rise again...

 

[Pentacycle]

nah i guess he will retire

italia will still have an uber strong team. michele,basso,cunego,nibali and delfino

+ Moser (also Pippo, Ballan, who's already training again)

 

[SafeBet]

nah i guess he will retire

italia will still have an uber strong team. michele,basso,cunego,nibali and delfino

Scarponi and Delfino not gonna be selected, I think.
And not for cycling related reasons.


Edit: same for Basso.

 

[burning]

Valverde will wheelsuck Cancellara than outsprint him

 

[jens_attacks]

Scarponi and Delfino not gonna be selected, I think.
And not for cycling related reasons.


Edit: same for Basso.

nope. that stupid rule was thrown to the thrash. even di rocco knew that they wouldn't stand a chance with these youngster, a lot to learn from them
italia comes like in the good old times,strong as a rock. they will come as the favourite team
the line up will be tremendous in quality
delfino showed last year in the nationals that this kind of parcours is perfect for him. in il giro he will show why he should be the leader i'm sure

 

[serfla]

Tailor made for Nibali.
But first we'll have to see who'll participate.
A bit early posted.

 

[The Hitch]

Tailor made for Nibali.
But first we'll have to see who'll participate.
A bit early posted.

Worlds is a race most of these riders will want to participate and for most of them it will probably even be a goal. Its not a gt where you have to commit for 3 weeks.

Its highly likely all of those riders with the possible exception of Contador will be there and highly motivated.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Should suit Mollema better. But actually I hope Poels gets back to his form. He would be Holland's best pick then imo.

Despite all Mollema's top 10 placings. Gesink is the one that actually has one day victories on very tough courses on his name, unlike Mollema. To add to that he also has a podim (AGR 2009) and 4th place (FW 2008) to his name, also unlike Mollema. So I doubt that Mollema is the best pick.

 

[serfla]

Worlds is a race most of these riders will want to participate and for most of them it will probably even be a goal. Its not a gt where you have to commit for 3 weeks.

Its highly likely all of those riders with the possible exception of Contador will be there and highly motivated.

Off course.
But maybe bad luck hits someone.
It wouldn't change this poll only, it would change approach of the affected team(s).
Spain without one of the two from the poll won't be the same team, for example.

 

[Pippo_San]

Zaugg to pull a Lombardia 2011

 

[The Hitch]

Off course.
But maybe bad luck hits someone.
It wouldn't change this poll only, it would change approach of the affected team(s).
Spain without one of the two from the poll won't be the same team, for example.

If Purito and Valverde got injured theyd still have Moreno, Sanchez, Anton maybe, and godswilling, el bisonte.

 

[serfla]

If Purito and Valverde got injured theyd still have Moreno, Sanchez, Anton maybe, and godswilling, el bisonte.

Yes. Plenty of power there.
But, imo, Valverde should be protected on this course.
Without him Spain will probably ride less conservative, so workload will fall on Italians (that would be something to see) and other teams.
Just an example.

 

[Afrank]

This one is for Lo Squalo, all the factors are in place. It's in italy, the course suits him well, and he will get some good preparation at the Vuelta instead of having to make do with the US races. Valverde probably will be his main competition. And of course the Colombians will be factors in the final.
I expect Gilbert will try to save his season here, but I'm won't be expecting too much from him at this point.

Love that Schlecks in the poll! Hitch, did you just put him in for fun, or do you actually think he has a shot at winning?

 

[The Hitch]

3 times 2nd in the Tour de France, 2nd in the Giro, WINNER, Liege Bastogne Liege, podium Liege Bastogne Liege, 5th place olympic road race.

When you have a 28 year old in the field with that palmares going into a worlds which has as much climbing in it as a Giro dolomite stage, ya, he has a chance.

 

[greenedge]

I voted other- Cancellara, to beat Nibali in a 2 man sprint.

Gilbert, Valverde or a Colombian to take 3rd.

 

[jaylew]

This route just screams Valverde but I think he's planning on going all out in both the Tour and Vuelta, so I don't know. He'll probably pick up his 5th podium...but once again not the top step.

If he wants to finally win, I think he'll have to stage hunt at the Vuelta instead of going for GC.

Schleck has absolutely no shot, imo. Top 10? Maybe. Winning? No chance.

 

[IndianCyclist]

This one is for Lo Squalo, all the factors are in place. It's in italy, the course suits him well, and he will get some good preparation at the Vuelta instead of having to make do with the US races. Valverde probably will be his main competition. And of course the Colombians will be factors in the final.
I expect Gilbert will try to save his season here, but I'm won't be expecting too much from him at this point.

Love that Schlecks in the poll! Hitch, did you just put him in for fun, or do you actually think he has a shot at winning?

I voted for Gilbert as he will be in top form at that time and he will have full backing. He & Cunego have always been good in the Autumn classics. Rest all are GC guys. They will be tired by that point of time.
Another person on the podium at least will probably be Cancellara. He will be super motivated for winning just like in Mendrisio.

 

[SafeBet]

nope. that stupid rule was thrown to the thrash. even di rocco knew that they wouldn't stand a chance with these youngster, a lot to learn from them
italia comes like in the good old times,strong as a rock. they will come as the favourite team
the line up will be tremendous in quality
delfino showed last year in the nationals that this kind of parcours is perfect for him. in il giro he will show why he should be the leader i'm sure

That's good to hear!

 

[the asian]

My early predictions

1. Uran
2, Nibali
3. Samu

 

[the asian]

I voted for Gilbert as he will be in top form at that time and he will have full backing. He & Cunego have always been good in the Autumn classics. Rest all are GC guys. They will be tired by that point of time.
Another person on the podium at least will probably be Cancellara. He will be super motivated for winning just like in Mendrisio.

IMO the course will be too difficult for Gilbert. Cancellara stands no chance.

Nibali will be leader for Italy, Cunego probably the 2nd option.

 

[Hugo Koblet]

One of the Colombians. What a team they have for this. I hope Valverde will finally get this one though.

 

[brilleaben]

This has potential to be the best Worlds in a long time! Maybe even better than Copenhagen 2011.