2013 World Championships Firenze. Who will win?

[Afrank]

People speak about Cancellara as a contender, but are suspicious about Gilbert's chances... Interesting.
No way Spartacus will survive 12 ascents over that final beast with Valverde, Rodriguez, Nibali & co..

Considering the season each of them has had so far, it's natural to consider Cance capable of challenging and be unsure about Gilbert's chances. Worlds will probably be the next big goal for both of them, Gilbert to save his season, and Cancellara to attempt to add that long awaited rainbow jersey to his palmares.

Would love to see Cancellara take it this year. Seems to be a very big goal of his as well, with him skipping the Tour and instead planning on doing the Vuelta to prepare for it.

 

[serfla]

Considering the season each of them has had so far, it's natural to consider Cance capable of challenging and be unsure about Gilbert's chances. Worlds will probably be the next big goal for both of them, Gilbert to save his season, and Cancellara to attempt to add that long awaited rainbow jersey to his palmares.

O.K.. I see the logic.
Last season should have thought us something about Gilbert.
I'm focused on the ability of the riders and the race profile.
Looks harder than LBL, similar to San Sebastian and Il Lombardia. I've never seen Cancellara there.
As I've already said - it would be an epic victory if he could pull it (long distance attack), but the profile looks just too hard for him.

 

[Netserk]

But not the same people. I don't think anyone who is talking up Canc is writing off Phil.

I consider a Beijing strong Canc to be better on this route, than post-'11 Gilbert.

 

[Pentacycle]

If cancellara can win, so can Sagan. Sagan's much better on asphalt climbs than on cobbles, he showed it on that stage to Porto Sant'Elpidio.

 

[Netserk]

If cancellara can win, so can Sagan. Sagan's much better on asphalt climbs than on cobbles, he showed it on that stage to Porto Sant'Elpidio.

I wouldn't be so sure of that. There is a great difference between stages and one-day races.

 

[Afrank]

If cancellara can win, so can Sagan. Sagan's much better on asphalt climbs than on cobbles, he showed it on that stage to Porto Sant'Elpidio.

Sagan's chances will depend largely on his form I think. His next peak will be leading up from Cali to the Tour. So we'll have to see if he will be able to peak again for worlds after already peaking twice for the classics and Tour. Last year he was tired out after all, and doing the Vuelta (which seems necessary for anybody that wants to win worlds) after the Tour would likely tire him out even more.

 

[Viking]

I think Purito will have a great shot here, but I have a feeling Spain is going to back Valverde.

 

[rainman]

There are exceptions that confirm the rule, off course.

Too right, you dont want to walk onto a cycle path in A'dam!

 

[The Hitch]

I have my doubts as well, but what does he think?

He thinks it's way too hard and won't bother this year.

 

[taiwan]

I think Purito will have a great shot here, but I have a feeling Spain is going to back Valverde.

Both in top form, Valverde has the bigger finish I suppose.

 

[Samson777]

My bet is on Cancellara

I also miss Spartacus in the Poll. He( and Radioschack in some way) are betting the rest of his season only on this day. I believe that will mean victory.
A Spartacus arriving in top killer mode is dangerous..

 

[Dedelou]

I voted Valverde because the course suits him, but I dream of a French suprise with one of the new guys or Sylvain if he goes

 

[greenedge]

Voeckler would be amazing- otherwise i would love for Cancellara to win over the rest.

I doubt Chavanel could survive the whole race too.

 

[karlboss]

I think this course is harder than beijing, the beijing course was a gradual up, then a gradual down, though longer, really only the one pinch each lap before the finishing straight. Also this is longer overall. That being said, with months to prepare solely for this, Cancellara to drop a few kilograms is absolutely a contender. As is Gilbert. I think some of the Sky riders might excel on this course. My rational being that it's so hard it won't play out like a classic, it'll end up being a race of attrition, without attacking a constant pace will find the favourites whittling away the others lap by lap, hence positioning and surges won't come into it so much. Expect Porte, Froome and Wiggins to be there at the end.

 

[Netserk]

Changing my vote for Il Killer!!!

 

[Hugo Koblet]

Sagan has said himself that he thinks the route is too hard this year. Guess that's the correct answer to the game then

 

[Zam_Olyas]

Sagan has said himself that he thinks the route is too hard this year. Guess that's the correct answer to the game then

Well played..it was a great game.

 

[The Hitch]

I had Moreno down as a domestique but looks like hell be as deadly as anyone. Mind you I had Contador as a leader so I guess it evens itself out.

 

[karlboss]

Spain looks to have by far the strongest possible team and should really take this one by the horns, but they'll probably wait and pull another mendrisio.

 

[marco.t]

Spain looks to have by far the strongest possible team and should really take this one by the horns, but they'll probably wait and pull another mendrisio.

Last year they've also been overwhelming favorites and the course was tailor made for them.
They should determine strict roles and stick firmly to them. Otherwise, they could stay empty-handed again.

 

[The Hitch]

Last year they've also been overwhelming favorites and the course was tailor made for them.
They should determine strict roles and stick firmly to them. Otherwise, they could stay empty-handed again.

Spain overwhelming favourties last year? Did you see the course. It was like Copenhagen but with a Gilbert hill 1k from the end. Nowhere for a team to lighten up the race. They were never going to stop Gilbert.

 

[Jux1893]

Rui Costa FTW

 

[marco.t]

Spain overwhelming favourties last year? Did you see the course. It was like mendrisio but with a Gilbert hill 1k from the end. Nowhere for a team to lighten up the race. They were never going to stop Gilbert.

Yes, Spain.
Valverde, Rodriguez, Sanchez, Freire, Contador and, on the other side, Gilbert out of form entire season.
You don't agree? The course didn't suite them?

 

[karlboss]

Yes, Spain.
Valverde, Rodriguez, Sanchez, Freire, Contador and, on the other side, Gilbert out of form entire season.
You don't agree? The course didn't suite them?

Not so much as this one does. The climbs were all a little small last year.

 

[marco.t]

Not so much as this one does. The climbs were all a little small last year.

I agree that this year's course suits them better, but last year they were team with the most options by far, and all that options knew the terrain very well.