- Jul 25, 2012
- 12,967
- 1,966
- 25,680
Thought I'd put a thread up as I'm probably best placed to start it.
First, road race (Womens, August 5th: Mens, August 12th). The circuit is almost exactly the same as the circuit used for the 2014 Commonwealth Games and the British National Championships. The few changes shouldn't really change the nature of the route. The route can be found here:
http://uec.ch/resources/2018%20Events/2018%20Glasgow/Cycling%20Map%20Road%20Race.pdf
There are no big hills but there are some short, steep ramps leading into tight turns that can be used to get a gap. The race is really going to depend on the racers here. A decent team should be able to keep it together but I think a lot of the classics/one day riders will be thinking they can force a select group and drop the sprinters. British riders have an advantage here as some will have raced this course twice already.
From what I can remember Lizzie Deignan made her winning break in the CG race on Great George Street and this is still likely a good place to go. The climb is probably steep enough to get a gap, you have a tight left hander into a fast decent down Gibson Street and then the Park Circus section to try and pull out a bigger gap. The Belgian team have been spotted in this area already. Montrose Street is the steepest ramp, but it's so short I think it's unlikely to be a good place to launch unless you plan on holding on for a lap or more. Geraint Thomas won the mens CG race and I think he got a gap on Vincent Street but I honestly can't remember as I didn't really watch it. That was more of an attritional race in poor weather. Cav won the nationals on this circuit. It should be a very different race but it gives you some idea as to who might be at the front in the end.
Hopefully someone with better knowledge can chime in on the women's contenders.
In the men's race I can't see past Sagan as long as he's recovered. If he hasn't I think it'll go to a classics type rider with a sprint, Kristoff, GVA, Swift, Colbrelli, Viviani, Van Baarle etc. Even if it comes down to a bunch I would think these are the guys who are going to contest it. With the Worlds looking almost impossible for Sagan I think he's going to want this.
The circuit should really showcase Glasgow well, definitely watch if you get chance.
The TT falls between the two road races (8th August). The routes can be seen here:
http://uec.ch/resources/2018%20Events/2018%20Glasgow/Cycling%20Map%20Time%20Trial.pdf
Why the women's route has to be shorter I don't know.
The men's route heads through some very familiar roads, it'll roll past the foot of the Crow Road climb up in to the Campsies that any Glasgow based cyclist likely climbs 20+ times every year. There's nothing too technical in either route. The only places people may get caught out is on the decent of Cleveden Road towards Skaethorn Road and, in the men's route, the Devils Elbow turn as they are dropping into Strathblane. No doubt riders are already out there doing recon, going to see if I can get some chat on my commute.
There's very little flat on either route and the roads are not the best/fastest rolling in some places, particularly after Cragmaddie Reservoir, but it's going to be one for the specialists. Not checked exactly who is turning up but I know Bialoblocki is going well at the moment, don't know if it's too long for him though. Would have been nice to see John Archibald get a ride but I know he's not been selected.
First, road race (Womens, August 5th: Mens, August 12th). The circuit is almost exactly the same as the circuit used for the 2014 Commonwealth Games and the British National Championships. The few changes shouldn't really change the nature of the route. The route can be found here:
http://uec.ch/resources/2018%20Events/2018%20Glasgow/Cycling%20Map%20Road%20Race.pdf
There are no big hills but there are some short, steep ramps leading into tight turns that can be used to get a gap. The race is really going to depend on the racers here. A decent team should be able to keep it together but I think a lot of the classics/one day riders will be thinking they can force a select group and drop the sprinters. British riders have an advantage here as some will have raced this course twice already.
From what I can remember Lizzie Deignan made her winning break in the CG race on Great George Street and this is still likely a good place to go. The climb is probably steep enough to get a gap, you have a tight left hander into a fast decent down Gibson Street and then the Park Circus section to try and pull out a bigger gap. The Belgian team have been spotted in this area already. Montrose Street is the steepest ramp, but it's so short I think it's unlikely to be a good place to launch unless you plan on holding on for a lap or more. Geraint Thomas won the mens CG race and I think he got a gap on Vincent Street but I honestly can't remember as I didn't really watch it. That was more of an attritional race in poor weather. Cav won the nationals on this circuit. It should be a very different race but it gives you some idea as to who might be at the front in the end.
Hopefully someone with better knowledge can chime in on the women's contenders.
In the men's race I can't see past Sagan as long as he's recovered. If he hasn't I think it'll go to a classics type rider with a sprint, Kristoff, GVA, Swift, Colbrelli, Viviani, Van Baarle etc. Even if it comes down to a bunch I would think these are the guys who are going to contest it. With the Worlds looking almost impossible for Sagan I think he's going to want this.
The circuit should really showcase Glasgow well, definitely watch if you get chance.
The TT falls between the two road races (8th August). The routes can be seen here:
http://uec.ch/resources/2018%20Events/2018%20Glasgow/Cycling%20Map%20Time%20Trial.pdf
Why the women's route has to be shorter I don't know.
The men's route heads through some very familiar roads, it'll roll past the foot of the Crow Road climb up in to the Campsies that any Glasgow based cyclist likely climbs 20+ times every year. There's nothing too technical in either route. The only places people may get caught out is on the decent of Cleveden Road towards Skaethorn Road and, in the men's route, the Devils Elbow turn as they are dropping into Strathblane. No doubt riders are already out there doing recon, going to see if I can get some chat on my commute.
There's very little flat on either route and the roads are not the best/fastest rolling in some places, particularly after Cragmaddie Reservoir, but it's going to be one for the specialists. Not checked exactly who is turning up but I know Bialoblocki is going well at the moment, don't know if it's too long for him though. Would have been nice to see John Archibald get a ride but I know he's not been selected.
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram