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

[fuiers]

Re:

Woods somehow reminds me of Santi Cazorla.

As an Arsenal fan I cant get that image out of my mind anymore. He looks so alike.

 

[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.

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.

You can say whatever you want but Colombia didn't have suitable riders for the course - But continue to state Colombian's should have attacked when the only rider who showed form on the day was Quintana.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Re:

I think the Dutch rode a cowardly race

What race did you watch? Or were you asleep for a big part of the final 3 laps? :lol:
Oomen, Tolhoek, Kruijswijk all attacked hard to harden up the race.. And from the 3 leaders (dumoulin,poels,mollema) only the first had the legs in the end...

I mean seriously. Whut? Cowardly? :lol: Sometimes you are trolling just as bad as El Pistolero

 

[KyoGrey]

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

 

[Valv.Piti]

Re: Re:

I think the Dutch rode a cowardly race

What race did you watch? Or were you asleep for a big part of the final 3 laps? :lol:
Oomen, Tolhoek, Kruijswijk all attacked hard to harden up the race.. And from the 3 leaders (dumoulin,poels,mollema) only the first had the legs in the end...

I mean seriously. Whut? Cowardly? :lol: Sometimes you are trolling just as bad as El Pistolero

They had 6 men at the foot of the hell climb. Comparatively to their strength, yes, I thought they rode weak and the attacks were half hearted. Thought they could have done more.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Re: Re:

I think the Dutch rode a cowardly race

What race did you watch? Or were you asleep for a big part of the final 3 laps? :lol:
Oomen, Tolhoek, Kruijswijk all attacked hard to harden up the race.. And from the 3 leaders (dumoulin,poels,mollema) only the first had the legs in the end...

I mean seriously. Whut? Cowardly? :lol: Sometimes you are trolling just as bad as El Pistolero

They had 6 men at the foot of the hell climb. Comparatively to their strength, yes, I thought they rode weak and the attacks were half hearted. Thought they could have done more.

Now you are just baiting. Or something I better not say if I don't want to get banned. Ridicolous comment.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re:

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 thought the same but it was the UCI's idea, they posted several tweets about a special mystery guest for the podium ceremony

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.

The Dutch were one of the few nations that actually made a serious attempt to break up the race before the final ascent.
I don't think I've seen the Colombians in the race at all.

 

[Asero831]

Re: Re:

I'm pretty indifferent about Valverde, but based on his incredible career, he earned it the most out of those 4 to become world champion. So I'm happy about the outcome.

Overall this was a more than enjoyable race.

It could have been better without the Murito, IMHO. Anyway best WC since Florence

Why? The Murito ensured that the race is selective. Surely it will be a 10 man bunch sprint had not for the murito

 

[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.

You can say whatever you want but Colombia didn't have suitable riders for the course - But continue to state Colombian's should have attacked when the only rider who showed form on the day was Quintana.

Yeah they probably wouldn't have won anyway, but with those kind of climbers and that much climbing you just cannot say they couldn't have done anything because the final climb didn't suit them. Dekker Tifosi wrote it above, the Dutch were going guns blazing with kruijswijk, Tolhoek and Oomen. Colombia surely could have done something similar and if more than two teams had actually raced aggressively this race might have ended very differently.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Re: Re:

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 thought the same but it was the UCI's idea, they posted several tweets about a special mystery guest for the podium ceremony

That makes it even better, so the UCI were trying to piggyback Sagan's inexplicable popularity. A bit like McQuaid trying to piggyback the British success in 2012 then having to hand the medal over to Vino, this just shows how much the UCI are trying to milk Sagan for dollars. Even funnier then that he "passes the torch" to a rider a decade his senior.

 

[DFA123]

Re: Re:

I think the Dutch rode a cowardly race

What race did you watch? Or were you asleep for a big part of the final 3 laps? :lol:
Oomen, Tolhoek, Kruijswijk all attacked hard to harden up the race.. And from the 3 leaders (dumoulin,poels,mollema) only the first had the legs in the end...

I mean seriously. Whut? Cowardly? :lol: Sometimes you are trolling just as bad as El Pistolero

They had 6 men at the foot of the hell climb. Comparatively to their strength, yes, I thought they rode weak and the attacks were half hearted. Thought they could have done more.

I agree with you. If the only half decent sprinter in your team has long been dropped, then you shouldn't be arriving at the foot of the final climb with most of the team in tact. You should have sacrificed guys to make the race harder.

The attack by Oomen, Kruiswijk etc.. were obviously not all in attacks if they were all still there at the final climb. They were all riding for themselves, not going all in to give a single leader the best chance to win.

 

[Amazinmets87]

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

Man, you know it's been a tough day in the saddle when pro riders are walking up a climb. Anyone have any video of this?

Furthermore, any info on how many riders completed the race?

 

[Gigs_98]

Re: Re:

I'm pretty indifferent about Valverde, but based on his incredible career, he earned it the most out of those 4 to become world champion. So I'm happy about the outcome.

Overall this was a more than enjoyable race.

It could have been better without the Murito, IMHO. Anyway best WC since Florence

Why? The Murito ensured that the race is selective. Surely it will be a 10 man bunch sprint had not for the murito

The other climb would have easily been selective enough if the climbers actually had to make the difference there. Look at how selective the final Tour of the Alps stage was or how races like in Firenze ended despite having a way easier climb

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re: Re:

I'm pretty indifferent about Valverde, but based on his incredible career, he earned it the most out of those 4 to become world champion. So I'm happy about the outcome.

Overall this was a more than enjoyable race.

It could have been better without the Murito, IMHO. Anyway best WC since Florence

Why? The Murito ensured that the race is selective. Surely it will be a 10 man bunch sprint had not for the murito

The murito ensured the race remained closed until the final 15 km. The Igls parcours could have been selective enough if it had been raced aggressively. They did that climb 7 times and only on the last one, we saw *some* action. And they even could have put the Höll climb before Igls on the final lap as has been suggested.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Re: Re:

I think the Dutch rode a cowardly race

What race did you watch? Or were you asleep for a big part of the final 3 laps? :lol:
Oomen, Tolhoek, Kruijswijk all attacked hard to harden up the race.. And from the 3 leaders (dumoulin,poels,mollema) only the first had the legs in the end...

I mean seriously. Whut? Cowardly? :lol: Sometimes you are trolling just as bad as El Pistolero

They had 6 men at the foot of the hell climb. Comparatively to their strength, yes, I thought they rode weak and the attacks were half hearted. Thought they could have done more.

Now you are just baiting. Or something I better not say if I don't want to get banned. Ridicolous comment.

Why would I be baiting? I simply thought they could have done more. A cowardly race is too harsh, but it was a sorry sight watching 6 dutch riders in the lead group all being passive just before the last climb. I think they started too late - it was never really an option to get a gap that meant anything just going hard a few times over Igls. We know beforehand that the biggest strength of the team was their numbers and they most likely would be beaten if it came down to the last climb (Dumoulin impressed and surprised me tho) and I didn't think that attacking a few times with Tolhoek and Kruijswijk would do the trick. Disagree with me, fine, but stop throwing accusations after me and comparing me to Pisto because I thought that your nation's riders could have done A LOT better tactically than today.

 

[tobydawq]

Re:

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.

I liked the gesture. It's the first time a rider has had it for three consecutive years, and it really felt like it had become the property of Sagan. So I thought his delivery of it to Valverde was nice, and seeing as Valverde also seemed to appreciate it, I actually think it was quite fitting.

 

[jaylew]

Re: Re:

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.

I liked the gesture. It's the first time a rider has had it for three consecutive years, and it really felt like it had become the property of Sagan. So I thought his delivery of it to Valverde was nice, and seeing as Valverde also seemed to appreciate it, I actually think it was quite fitting.

Agreed.

 

[Valv.Piti]

I also think I agree since you correctly are pointing out he had won the last 3 years, but still, very typical Sagan. He cant help himself I guess, haha - Valverde was surprised and happy, so yeah, I guess I liked the gesture

 

[kiszol]

Re:

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.

Yeah, fully agreed. He is not just one of the best GT riders, but one of the best TTers and one of the best climbers. After this year this finally has to be evident for everyone.

 

[Carols]

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:

I was pacing all over the room screaming Go Bala for the final 3km and my winning salute was as big as his. And Yes I Cried...... I just finished watching the post race ceremonies and dreaming of Bala riding in the Rainbow all next season . Wow he finally made it!!!! A true testament to courage and longevity. A Grande Champion!

Also my thoughts went to Purito and wondered how he was handling it... Poor Purito!

 

[Robert5091]

Thought Bardet was the one but it turned out to be Valverde - chapeau!

Movistar must be glad they've got something this year. Tommy D surprised again by being there at the death. Woods too - likes the steep stuff.

 

[kiszol]

Re: Re:

I agree with you. If the only half decent sprinter in your team has long been dropped, then you shouldn't be arriving at the foot of the final climb with most of the team in tact. You should have sacrificed guys to make the race harder.

The attack by Oomen, Kruiswijk etc.. were obviously not all in attacks if they were all still there at the final climb. They were all riding for themselves, not going all in to give a single leader the best chance to win.

I disagree. Kruijswijk perhaps, but Oomen clearly rode for Dumo and Mollema. And what use would've it been for the Dutch team if Oomen, Kruijswijk, etc. attacks more? They made the race hard enough for Adam Yates and GVA.
Valverde, Woods and Bardet would've been there anyway. The result wouldn't have changed.

 

[Carols]

Re:

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

I briefly thought the same thing; what a way to go out. But he will Win races in Rainbow next year!

 

[Escarabajo]

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

Colombia did horrible for the talent they have.

But the way I see it, they had a bad year for the talent they have. We only had the 2 podiums from Lopez and the great showing from Bernal for the future. But Bernal wasn't here and Lopez is really not known for 1 day races. Far from it. He does not know how to race them or prepare for them properly. Even the domestiques had a bad year with illnesses and bad preparation or whatever.

So they brought, in my humble opinion, a decimated team from the beginning.

It is a pity, like I said before, because this was a mountainous course and we don't get many of those.

 

[GuyIncognito]

About the dutch team, a few pages back in this same topic Red Rick was saying mid race that it made no sense to have 6 leaders. I agreed with him and said they'd end up with 2 top 10s and no medals. I was wrong, they got 1 top 10 and no medals. That's always what's going to happen riding semi-conservatively with several non-favorite leaders.

If you have a bunch of good riders with an outside chance but no overwhelming favorite, the riders must be very aggressive and attack constantly. This way you'll break apart the race and one of the moves will stick. If you have a rider inciting every move, you'll have one in the move that sticks and that move probably won't have him fighting with the main favorites but 2nd tier riders.Kelme made an art of it a few years back.

Instead they raced mostly conservatively and ended up with 1 rider barely getting to the main move exhausted and against the strongest in the race. That's always how it was going to work out. Whichever way you slice it, dutch tactics today were poor.