2020 World Championships - now confirmed for Imola, Italy.

[Asero831]

Very, very hard. As I said earlier I only see real climbers doing good here. I see that Van Aert stands as a no.1 favorite, but I think he won't be able to go with Fuglsang, Valverde and co. when they put the hammer down on the steep stuff.

How is Fuglsang form. He did not impress in TA

 

[Blanco]

How is Fuglsang form. He did not impress in TA

I think he's fine. He showed at that stage Van Der Poel won that he's going well. He didn't go to deep though, I think TA served him to fine tune his shape for the Worlds and later for Il Giro.

 

[SarahtheDane]

I'm guessing:

1. Van Aert
2. Fuglsang
3. Valverde

 

[bob.a.feet]

Since when is Pogacar such a superb one day rider?

18th in LBL and Worlds at 20 is not bad at all. Especially a Worlds that didn't suit him.

 

[SafeBet]

Formolo informed Cassani he won't be able to ride the WC
Moscon and Colbrelli also out of the shortlist.

10 remaining: Bagioli, Bettiol, Brambilla, Caruso, Conci, Fabbro, Masnada, Nibali, Ulissi, Visconti.

 

[Asero831]

What are your podium predictions?
Here's mine

1. Pogacar
2. Carapaz
3. Valverde

Now that Pog had won, change of prediction

1. Valverde
2. Fugslang
3. Woods

WvA will not be partying and going back to the roads to train. But he will be exhausted after getting the rainbow in TT

 

[Koronin]

Now that Pog had won, change of prediction

1. Valverde
2. Fugslang
3. Woods

WvA will not be partying and going back to the roads to train. But he will be exhausted after getting the rainbow in TT

After Valverde's atrocious TT, I wouldn't put any confidence in his finishing in the top 10 of the Worlds let alone the podium.

 

[BlueRoads]

After Valverde's atrocious TT, I wouldn't put any confidence in his finishing in the top 10 of the Worlds let alone the podium.

Do you think it was because he couldn't do better or because he did not care enough in the end and is preparing for worlds?

 

[Koronin]

Do you think it was because he couldn't do better or because he did not care enough in the end and is preparing for worlds?

I think it's a combination of things. He hasn't been happy with his form at all this year. He did a worse TT than Lopez that if he even half tried wouldn't have been possible. My opinion is he didn't care enough to try, which makes the rest of the race even more puzzling as he could have instead lost a bunch of time and gone stage hunting because finishing 12th is worthless and stage hunting would have been a much better option. As this was very likely his last Tour he won't come back to go stage hunting again. His not caring enough about this TT was not and has nothing to do with preparing for the worlds. He doesn't have the form.

 

[Broccolidwarf]

Crazy to think about, that the Worlds road race is only a week away.

I wonder how much fatigue the Tour GC riders are feeling, and what shape the Giro contender are in, having probably timed their peak for 2-3 weeks after Worlds.

 

[Koronin]

Crazy to think about, that the Worlds road race is only a week away.

I wonder how much fatigue the Tour GC riders are feeling, and what shape the Giro contender are in, having probably timed their peak for 2-3 weeks after Worlds.

If you go with that basis, some of the Tour stage hunters likely have the best form.

 

[Broccolidwarf]

If you go with that basis, some of the Tour stage hunters likely have the best form.

You might be right.

Though a lot depends on how guys like Fuglsang, Nibali, Thomas, etc. have timed their shape.

Have they prioritized being good at Worlds or good week 3 in the Giro?

 

[Koronin]

You might be right.

Though a lot depends on how guys like Fuglsang, Nibali, Thomas, etc. have timed their shape.

Have they prioritized being good at Worlds or good week 3 in the Giro?

I agree that some will depend on the guys getting ready for the Giro. Also wouldn't discount Carapaz and Soler who weren't supposed to be racing the Tour and were supposed to be getting ready for the Giro. The only GC contender for the Tour, who finished well and wasn't at his best to start with is Mas so he may do well and seems to be an ok one day racer, but I wouldn't have him as a favorite for the podium, but a possible top 10.

 

[broppo]

I agree that some will depend on the guys getting ready for the Giro. Also wouldn't discount Carapaz and Soler who weren't supposed to be racing the Tour and were supposed to be getting ready for the Giro. The only GC contender for the Tour, who finished well and wasn't at his best to start with is Mas so he may do well and seems to be an ok one day racer, but I wouldn't have him as a favorite for the podium, but a possible top 10.

carapaz is not competing, ecuador is not sending a team.

 

[Koronin]

carapaz is not competing, ecuador is not sending a team.

That's sad.

 

[ciranda]

Ecuador want to send riders. Federation has said they have received yes from Ineos for Carapaz to participate, no for Narvaez, situation for the others is not clear.

 

[Mayomaniac]

According to La Gazzetta following riders are confirmed for Italy:
Nibali
Caruso
Masnada
Brambilla
Ulissi
Bagiol

The last 2 spots should go to Bettiol and Visconti over Fabbro and Conci.
I wouldn't mind bringing Fabbro, but I can see why Cassani would prefer the experience of Visconti and a great classics rider like Bettiol.

 

[Asero831]

Spain team looks strong to join any attacks

Alejandro Valverde
Enric Mas
Marc Soler
Mikel Landa
Pello Bilbao (TT)
Luis León Sánchez
Jesús Herrada
David de la Cruz

 

[Asero831]

Wonder why Castro will not be participating in the ITT

 

[Asero831]

France selection not so overwhelming

Alaphilippe, Bernard, Ellissonde, Madouas, G. Martin, Molard, Pacher, Peters

 

[Samson777]

I'm guessing:

1. Van Aert
2. Fuglsang
3. Valverde

1. Fuglsang
2. Woods
3. Van Aert

 

[RedheadDane]

Wonder why Castro will not be participating in the ITT

I thought that's why he dropped out of the TdF, to prepare...

 

[BlueRoads]

France selection not so overwhelming

Alaphilippe, Bernard, Ellissonde, Madouas, G. Martin, Molard, Pacher, Peters

Alaphilippe and Barguil really not getting along, or why is Barguil not there?

 

[Mayomaniac]

Alaphilippe and Barguil really not getting along, or why is Barguil not there?

Maybe Barguil is friends with Gallopin...

 

[Eddy Evenepoel]

I read Barguil said he was to tired after the Tour.