2020 World Championships - now confirmed for Imola, Italy.

[Logic-is-your-friend]

I feel a little bit sorry for the german guy at the front. Did most of the work to create the gap. Continued to work and dropped all but one. Now he is basically doing a TT with a wheelsucker behind him.

Mayrhofer has used up all the German wheelsucking karma in 2018 for the next decade.

 

[SarahtheDane]

After learning that Carols and Red Rick are the same person I have to ask: Are you the parents of the same toddler, Zinoviev and SarahtheDane?

Not that I know of, my ex hates cycling (actually, sports in general).

 

[Pantani_lives]

This reminds me of an Asian movie I just watched: beautiful images, but boring.

 

[rghysens]

But harder..

More elevation gain, yes. But much of it will be (is) softpedalled. I don't think the peloton will be more fractured at the end of the race than it is at LBL.

 

[Mayomaniac]

Probably because the incentive to run for politics is there in the first place. Not so weird, considering that the country is politically underdeveloped to a degree where voters will actually see famous sports stars as more trustworthy than the actual politicians. It's the same in South American countries.

Honestly, I can remember more showgirls (thanks Berlusconi) and former pornstars becoming politicians in Italy than football players.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

This reminds me of an Asian movie I just watched: beatiful images, but boring.

Also such a weird title for a movie.

 

[Zoetemelk-fan]

Peleton way too slow at this time for a hard elimination run. This is not in favor of the toughest guys with stamina in the final. But could open for exciting unpredictable racing.

 

[Jagartrott]

Nothing is happening, Gerrans Matthews will win.

 

[Pirazziattacks]

The voice of Adam Gilchrist appealing after every Shane Warne delivery still rings in my ears to this day, different sport but 2006 was my peak of Anti-Aussie bitterness, so I had little sympathy when they were out scumbagged in that game. Re: 2002, as much as I enjoy a bit of karma, that South Korean game, tempting as it was to laugh, was probably a little too much even for the most ardent anti-italy viewer.

The relative easiness of this race so far leans well into my Matthews outside bet currently, though I still think this will go the way of a smart opportunist (Kwiato).

Anti-Aussie bitterness after the 2005 Ashes? That's rubbing it in a bit

I agree with you on the race though. The course reminds me a bit of Pontferrada, perfect for a late attack.

 

[SarahtheDane]

I'm taking a wild guess that Valgren will place higher than Fuglsang today.

 

[Blanco]

So, GC guy or climber harder? Too hard for GVA type rider?

Too hard... Climber with the punch type. GVA could do well only if he goes into some move earlier than big guys.

 

[Andy262]

Surely someone will try and animate on the Cima this time?

Need a bit of action now.

 

[Brullnux]

Probably because the incentive to run for politics is there in the first place. Not so weird, considering that the country is politically underdeveloped to a degree where voters will actually see famous sports stars as more trustworthy than the actual politicians. It's the same in South American countries.

I don't think anyone in Italy takes sportspeople and their opinions seriously.... Its just that Italy is a very, very politicised country with high participation rates too (typically higher than most nordic countries, although this has changed in the last decade where it seems a sort of democratic fatigue, the same which hit the UK in the 80s, has taken hold in Italy). Football clubs and ultras are also very political, and this plays into why footballers also partake in it. Not that they do to any actual intellectual level, just racism and fascism generally.

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

More than 70km to go, looks like just one Irish jersey in the peloton. Looking like a typical Irish WCRR performance...

 

[bob.a.feet]

This reminds me of an Asian movie I just watched: beatiful images, but boring.

Hopefully it's like Parasite - starts slow but then bit by bit you realise you're watching something great.

 

[gregrowlerson]

I'm taking a wild guess that Valgren will place higher than Fuglsang today.

That sounds suspiciously like something Zinoviev Letter might say....

 

[TomLPC]

Anti-Aussie bitterness after the 2005 Ashes? That's rubbing it in a bit

I agree with you on the race though. The course reminds me a bit of Pontferrada, perfect for a late attack.

The long years of them totally flattening us took it's toll, it wasn't enough, we needed to totally humiliate them at their best to vanquish the demons and we didn't, as evidenced by the beatdown they gave us later in the year. Eventually most English fans grew to admire the Australians, though you won't find many ready to admit it, as evidence by the standing ovation they gave Ponting in his last game in England.

 

[topcat]

Honestly, I can remember more showgirls (thanks Berlusconi) and former pornstars becoming politicians in Italy than football players.

They're more memorable

 

[glassmoon]

Why isn't GT riding this exactly?

 

[Salvarani]

Pog looks strong today too lol.

A bit of a shame if he just riding as a dom.

 

[gregrowlerson]

The long years of them totally flattening us took it's toll, it wasn't enough, we needed to totally humiliate them at their best to vanquish the demons and we didn't, as evidenced by the beatdown they gave us later in the year. Eventually most English fans grew to admire the Australians, though you won't find many ready to admit it, as evidence by the standing ovation they gave Ponting in his last game in England.

As an Aussie, the 2005 ashes were mostly great, despite losing. The follow up series in Australia was a complete shambles, though a nice send off for many of our greats.

 

[Eclipse]

ok France firing this up

 

[Salvarani]

It is a race now

allez

 

[Flamin]

Allez les Bleus!

 

[bob.a.feet]

Luke Rowe pushing Guillaume Martin.