2018 Innsbruck World Championship Men's Road Race - 259km

[DFA123]

Re: Re:

I guess this race was confirmation again that one day specialists > GT specialists, even in one day races with the profile of a tough GT mountain stage. 7 of the top 10 are undoubtedly more one day racers - and you could make an argument that Pinot and Bardet are better one day riders than they are stage racers these days.

Dumoulin the only real GT specialist who troubled the top 10.

I don’t know when the guy who has clearly dominated 1 day races was not racing and the other one was riding after a serious injury. How would have your statement changed if there was a final sprint with Bardet, Woods, Pity, Nibali, Froome and Dumoulin?

Well that would have been a completely different race. Not really surely what your point is tbh.

 

[SafeBet]

Maybe putting the murito before the final Igls would have worked.

 

[42x16ss]

Re: Re:

Would have liked to see this race without the Höll climb. We only saw about a handful of half-hearted attempts before. Think it could have been a selective parcours even racing only the Igls circuit.

Totally agree. Without the Murito and with 1 or 2 laps more at the beginning we could have had another Duitama/Chambery/Sallanches etc... like this it was a little bit meh...

It just needed the final flat to be 2-3 kms longer IMO

 

[yaco]

Re: 2018 Innsbruck World Championship Men's Road Race - 259k

Also chapeau to Colombia for doing absolutely nothing on the best route they will ever get

Colombia's only realistic chance on that route was Chaves who is ill - The finish never suited the other Colombians.

 

[franic]

Re: Re:

I guess this race was confirmation again that one day specialists > GT specialists, even in one day races with the profile of a tough GT mountain stage. 7 of the top 10 are undoubtedly more one day racers - and you could make an argument that Pinot and Bardet are better one day riders than they are stage racers these days.

Dumoulin the only real GT specialist who troubled the top 10.

I don’t know when the guy who has clearly dominated 1 day races was not racing and the other one was riding after a serious injury. How would have your statement changed if there was a final sprint with Bardet, Woods, Pity, Nibali, Froome and Dumoulin?

Well that would have been a completely different race. Not really surely what your point is tbh.

That the main GT contenders were not in great shape for many different reasons. Tbh only Moscon is a pure one day specialist in the top 5 and the fact that Alaphilippe has been smashed by Bardet seems to show that pure one day riders have been inferior

 

[jaylew]

Re: 2018 Innsbruck World Championship Men's Road Race - 259k

I just got to finish watching the race.....OMG Bala, my Bala!!! 38 years old, simply amazing! Wow Just Wow!!!!

Were you as stressed as I was? I was pacing back and forth the final 3k like a crazy person. My mom's in town visiting and she just couldn't understand why I was so tense. "Do you know him? Is that someone you race against?" :lol:

 

[franic]

Re:

Maybe putting the murito before the final Igls would have worked.

For sure better. Maybe they could have done Murito+Igls in this order every single lap. In that case they would have arrived in 5 to the end

 

[KyoGrey]

Re: 2018 Innsbruck World Championship Men's Road Race - 259k

 

[Gigs_98]

Re: 2018 Innsbruck World Championship Men's Road Race - 259k

Also chapeau to Colombia for doing absolutely nothing on the best route they will ever get

Colombia's only realistic chance on that route was Chaves who is ill - The finish never suited the other Colombians.

If the finish doesn't suit you don't wait for the finish. I've never heard Cancellara complaining about the fact that the finish of the Ronde isn't on the Paterberg.

 

[franic]

Re: 2018 Innsbruck World Championship Men's Road Race - 259k

I just got to finish watching the race.....OMG Bala, my Bala!!! 38 years old, simply amazing! Wow Just Wow!!!!

Were you as stressed as I was? I was pacing back and forth the final 3k like a crazy person. My mom's in town visiting and she just couldn't understand why I was so tense. "Do you know him? Is that someone you race against?" :lol:

:razz:

 

[DFA123]

Re: Re:

I guess this race was confirmation again that one day specialists > GT specialists, even in one day races with the profile of a tough GT mountain stage. 7 of the top 10 are undoubtedly more one day racers - and you could make an argument that Pinot and Bardet are better one day riders than they are stage racers these days.

Dumoulin the only real GT specialist who troubled the top 10.

I don’t know when the guy who has clearly dominated 1 day races was not racing and the other one was riding after a serious injury. How would have your statement changed if there was a final sprint with Bardet, Woods, Pity, Nibali, Froome and Dumoulin?

Well that would have been a completely different race. Not really surely what your point is tbh.

That the main GT contenders were not in great shape for many different reasons.

Ah right, fair enough. But isn't that how it will always be? GT riders will always be peaking primarily for Grand Tours - while one day specialists peaking for one day races. So in a one day race, even with a hard GT profile, that's just another advantage which makes one day racers stronger.

Tbh only Moscon is a pure one day specialist in the top 5 and the fact that Alaphilippe has been smashed by Bardet seems to show that pure one day riders have been inferior

Well, if you don't regard Valverde and Woods are one day specialists, then we're not going to agree here.

 

[franic]

Re: 2018 Innsbruck World Championship Men's Road Race - 259k

Also chapeau to Colombia for doing absolutely nothing on the best route they will ever get

Colombia's only realistic chance on that route was Chaves who is ill - The finish never suited the other Colombians.

If the finish doesn't suit you don't wait for the finish. I've never heard Cancellara complaining about the fact that the finish of the Ronde isn't on the Paterberg.

Exactly. Italy tried hard to make it tough and they did not have the same climbing talent of Colombia

 

[yaco]

Re: Re:

*deleted

Might have been in doubt if Bardet hadn't dropped Alaphilippe. Or at least tried something before the sprint.

Tactical fail by France.

Yeah, totally. Before the race they should have gone with the plan "Alaphillipe, ride hard on the climb" instead of the "Get tired and dropped" plan...

What were they thinking?

Not a tactical fail by France - Even though Alaphalippe has improved his climbing, there was every likelihood the course would be too challenging for him as it showed.

 

[franic]

Re: Re:

I guess this race was confirmation again that one day specialists > GT specialists, even in one day races with the profile of a tough GT mountain stage. 7 of the top 10 are undoubtedly more one day racers - and you could make an argument that Pinot and Bardet are better one day riders than they are stage racers these days.

Dumoulin the only real GT specialist who troubled the top 10.

I don’t know when the guy who has clearly dominated 1 day races was not racing and the other one was riding after a serious injury. How would have your statement changed if there was a final sprint with Bardet, Woods, Pity, Nibali, Froome and Dumoulin?

Well that would have been a completely different race. Not really surely what your point is tbh.

That the main GT contenders were not in great shape for many different reasons.

Ah right, fair enough. But isn't that how it will always be? GT riders will always be peaking primarily for Grand Tours - while one day specialists peaking for one day races. So in a one day race, even with a hard GT profile, that's just another advantage which makes one day racers stronger.

Tbh only Moscon is a pure one day specialist in the top 5 and the fact that Alaphilippe has been smashed by Bardet seems to show that pure one day riders have been inferior

Well, if you don't regard Valverde and Woods are one day specialists, then we're not going to agree here.

Woods maybe, but Valverde has always been 50% 1 day specialist, 50% GT contender. A pure 1 day rider is a Bettini, a Gilbert etc

 

[Singer01]

I know he loves riding his bike, but if it wasn't for the rainbow jersey now would be a great time to retire.

 

[yaco]

What I took out of the race is Dumoulin is an under-rated climber by the general cycling community, the cycling media and possibly by TD himself.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Re: 2018 Innsbruck World Championship Men's Road Race - 259k

Expected result... Great race.

First 3 are the kind of guys you'd expect. Climber/Puncheurs. 4th a giant engine.
Alaphilippe's engine too small for this race (too many long climb before the final steep one). Oomen even said riders around him were walking up the climb because everyone was dead

 

[Tonton]

Re: 2018 Innsbruck World Championship Men's Road Race - 259k

Well, I'm climbing the "2018 Predictions" ranking after today .

As you all know, I'm not a fan of Valverde. And since I already spent my rant allowance for 2018, I choose to look at this race from a positive angle. The Don cemented his legacy, didn't screw up, although leading the sprint was taking a chance that could have cost him. He was the strongest. Hats off to him, good for his many fans.

I'm not surprised to see Woods there, or Moscon (glad he didn't podium), Dumoulin was much stronger than I though he would be. Chapeau Valgren.

I have to re-watch this race to form an opinion with regards to France's tactics. Obviously Alaf' didn't have it, and I'm hesitant to blame Bardet for "dropping" him. Pinot took some big pulls, France shattered the group, and Alaf' being dropped must have been a surprise for Bardet. Once the gap was opened, he had to commit. Whatever metal it's made of, a medal is a great accomplishment.

Very good race. It didn't disappoint regardless of how our chouchous fared. Chapeau Bala!

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re:

What I took out of the race is Dumoulin is an under-rated by the general cycling community, the cycling media and possibly by TD himself.

Absolutely.

 

[LaFlorecita]

I am so happy Moscon didn't win. Looked sketchy for a while.

 

[Unchained]

Deserving champion...good race..

 

[spalco]

I've had some (many) bad words for valverde in the past, but man, what a big, big win.

I didn't expect this to be so emotional for me.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Who was annoyed by Sagan walking up to Valverde on the ceremony? It was obvious that Valverde really liked that gesture, but its very typical Sagan to pull such a stunt. Was a little annoyed by i to be honest, the kind of guy who likes to steal the show all the time, but then again, Valverde was fine with it and there seems to be a great mutual respect between the two.

I think the Dutch rode a cowardly race. The Colombians were just pathetic, but I didnt expect anything else after this season. I think Lopez could have done well tho. The Italians were amazing, but Nibali was spring Nibali.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Re:

Dumo's should've continued his attack..

tbh Valverde was controlling it and Dumo didn't have anything left .. result would be the same

 

[jaylew]

Re: 2018 Innsbruck World Championship Men's Road Race - 259k

Well, I'm climbing the "2018 Predictions" ranking after today .

As you all know, I'm not a fan of Valverde. And since I already spent my rant allowance for 2018, I choose to look at this race from a positive angle. The Don cemented his legacy, didn't screw up, although leading the sprint was taking a chance that could have cost him. He was the strongest. Hats off to him, good for his many fans.

I'm not surprised to see Woods there, or Moscon (glad he didn't podium), Dumoulin was much stronger than I though he would be. Chapeau Valgren.

I have to re-watch this race to form an opinion with regards to France's tactics. Obviously Alaf' didn't have it, and I'm hesitant to blame Bardet for "dropping" him. Pinot took some big pulls, France shattered the group, and Alaf' being dropped must have been a surprise for Bardet. Once the gap was opened, he had to commit. Whatever metal it's made of, a medal is a great accomplishment.

Very good race. It didn't disappoint regardless of how our chouchous fared. Chapeau Bala!

Classy post, Tonton. I'll try to remember it if Démare wins a monument next year.

Only 2nd temporary avatar change in 10 years on this forum.