2020 World Championships - now confirmed for Imola, Italy.

[tobydawq]

I think it's pretty idiotic to 'focus on the classics' while the parcours at these worlds is a classics one. It's definitely a missed opportunity for Kragh, for instance. He could've done very well here if the race remained closed for long enough. Besides, look at Belgium: all their riders are classics riders - so are they now going to go badly in Flanders etc. because of this one extra race (perhaps the most important in the year)?

It's because he wants to win the Binckbank Tour. Which he very well may do.

Of course, it's still idiotic, but it's not because of Flanders.

 

[tobydawq]

Speaking of Belgium, Lefevre is really petty. Not sending Devenyns to the WC because Remco isn't riding and not wanting an non- Quickstep Belgium to have a better chance...

According to the article about Alaphilippe, it was Devenyns' own decision. He didn't want to be in a situation where he would have to try to chase down Alaphilippe.

 

[Mayomaniac]

According to the article about Alaphilippe, it was Devenyns' own decision. He didn't want to be in a situation where he would have to try to chase down Alaphilippe.

A race is a race and you shouldn't take something like that personal.
In the end you can always pull a 2013 Valverde and let your teammate get away while someone from your nation is on the road.

 

[TBSOUTH]

No mention of Tom Pidcock....massive odds @80/1....he is fresh and in form.....asking a lot but he should give me a run for my money.

 

[SafeBet]

13 degrees at the start.

 

[Jagartrott]

I agree.... but if the tactics is all in for Fuglsang (it is now), then I can understand Kragh. He will focus on keeping his employer happy and go for his own chances in the classics, which might suit him better than this course.

I don't think going all out for Fuglsang is the correct choice. He doesn't have a good sprint, so he'd have to arrive solo or with someone who's less of a sprinter than he is, and I have a hard time seeing this happening. Kragh is such a fine rider, with tactical nouse. He would've been perfect here, to lurk in the shadows.

 

[Hugo Koblet]

No mention of Tom Pidcock....massive odds @80/1....he is fresh and in form.....asking a lot but he should give me a run for my money.

80/1 is definitely good. Which site is that on?

 

[TBSOUTH]

That was on Betfair last evening......backed him @ 60's 65's and 80's.....now around 50's......skinny odds elsewhere.

 

[BlueRoads]

No way is Pidcock going to win this. I am doing something I rarely do. I am ruling that out.

 

[TBSOUTH]

Its a punt.......he has as good a chance as any.
He is fearless and can ride any terrain....what's not to like?

 

[BlueRoads]

Its a punt.......he has as good a chance as any.
He is fearless and can ride any terrain....what's not to like?

Okay, since you bet money on him, I wish you and him the best.

 

[gregrowlerson]

Its a punt.......he has as good a chance as any.
He is fearless and can ride any terrain....what's not to like?

Sounds like a Pillock.

 

[Bardamu]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1310117441972961280

View: https://twitter.com/BELCyclingTeam/status/1310117441972961280


Who's in charge of the music here?

 

[Red Rick]

A race is a race and you shouldn't take something like that personal.
In the end you can always pull a 2013 Valverde and let your teammate get away while someone from your nation is on the road.

Van Aert winning would lead to at least 5 more weeks of Lefevre talking about how he was gonna sign him. He's already salty about it before.

 

[Rollthedice]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1310117441972961280

View: https://twitter.com/BELCyclingTeam/status/1310117441972961280


Who's in charge of the music here?

Tom Boonen

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbzzUBjo5o8

 

[Red Rick]

No way is Pidcock going to win this. I am doing something I rarely do. I am ruling that out.

I would ridicule it but then I remember what I said about Thomas winning the Tour in 2018....

 

[Breezy1985]

Dunne got in the break in Richmond. Martin got in the break in Yorkshire, but would surely have been better used guiding Bennett through the first few hours of racing and keeping him fresh for the final laps.

I can’t see any way the 3 guys in Imola come away with anything, but you’re right, if they at least rode like there’s some sort of grand strategy at play it wouldn’t feel so bad to read the following day that they dnf’d with 60km to go.

Dunne got in the break the year he thought he was gonna be out of a job and Im pretty sure said he took it on himself to do it. I met the team last year before the race and they all looked miserable going to the start and I got the feeling Sam wasn't up for it so maybe thats why Dan jumped

 

[bob.a.feet]

On BBC sport app/website the race is live now with a full ad-free coverage.

 

[Red Rick]

What is this. The break doesn't immediately fly?

 

[gregrowlerson]

The monkey is off the back, and the rains are here.

Richie Porte or Vincenzo Nibali will win this bike race.

#Trektwosome

 

[Breezy1985]

Tom Boonen

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbzzUBjo5o8

Thats the most Eurotrash thing I have ever seen

 

[Andy262]

So Lutsenko, Arndt non starters. One other I missed?

 

[Bolder]

What is this. The break doesn't immediately fly?

It's OK. there's a break.

I was not a good bike racer, tactically or physically. But I struggle to understand why you would try to form a break in a 260 km hilly course with the world's best one-day riders behind you in the first 5 kms...

I really love this course and the drone/heli shots are fabulous. Happy to settle back and watch for a few hours with a cuppa coffee or two...

 

[Breezy1985]

Dunne got in the break in Richmond. Martin got in the break in Yorkshire, but would surely have been better used guiding Bennett through the first few hours of racing and keeping him fresh for the final laps.

I can’t see any way the 3 guys in Imola come away with anything, but you’re right, if they at least rode like there’s some sort of grand strategy at play it wouldn’t feel so bad to read the following day that they dnf’d with 60km to go.

Todays break s full of nations that have no chance. Would it really be so bad for Healy or Mullin to try get in its not like the can help Nico later anyway

 

[Red Rick]

It's OK. there's a break.

I was not a good bike racer, tactically or physically. But I struggle to understand why you would try to form a break in a 260 km hilly course with the world's best one-day riders behind you in the first 5 kms...

I really love this course and the drone/heli shots are fabulous. Happy to settle back and watch for a few hours with a cuppa coffee or two...

These guys in the break aren't hoping to win. Best case scenario is get some exposure.