Copenhagen 2011: Junior Women RR 70km & Men U23 RR 168km

[Papparrazzi]

Why haven't they removed all the traffic islands for the week ?

 

[GroupDK]

wauue...he looks happy (love when you can feels people thrue feelings.)..

a big congrats to france an outstanding solid win..

 

[Der Effe]

Eritrea???

Simple, yet so effective.

 

[Sophistic]

finish isnt really tough but enough for Gilbert to win

 

[auscyclefan94]

I never said it was, but you said Aus is better in EVERY facet. The results of this weeks mens TT would seem to disprove that.

in facet I meant road, track, etc. nvm.

 

[patterson_hood]

mmm. this finish is no way hard enough to discount the cavs etc

I didn't see it but it certainly sounds like that from the twitter chatter, live text etc.

If GB get to the end with Wiggins, Millar and Thomas left to lead him out I reckon he's in with a good shout. Otherwise I think it'll be someone who goes early and can make it stick. Looking forward to it, got to record it though...

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

But the 200+ kilometres before that with non stop attacks are.

non-stop attacks.
ill believe it when i see it.

But you are right in regards to this usually being a more active race. But if the teams are patient and don't panic it shouldn't be too big of an issue.

Still I guess it depends on other teams like belgium and such, and how hard they make the race.

leaddout was fine, Hepburn was very well placed. If he'd had the legs he'd have won.

lol what a joke.
You obviously don't know much about the espoirs scene, and base this one on the ozzie ozzie ozzie oi oi oi theory.

 

[goggalor]

the pro's won't attack as much as the u23's therefore a bunch sprint is highly likely for the men's race. the u23's couldn't of attacked any more and still a big bunch sprint took the victory.

Still, the pro race is always a lot harder. Last year the final bunch in the pro race was half the size of the u23 one, despite having a lot more starters.

I do think Cav might be there at the end, though, but he'll struggle in the sprint.

 

[auscyclefan94]

Still, the pro race is always a lot harder. Last year the final bunch in the pro race was half the size of the u23 one, despite having a lot more starters.

I do think Cav might be there at the end, though, but he'll struggle in the sprint.

the elite race last year was much more aggresive than the u23 riders. even phinney was at the finish last year.

 

[Cobblestoned]

SO, we'll see a big sprint from a big group tomorrow and on sunday.
U23 told it. Usually tell it.

Congrats to the Frenchies. Chapeau.

 

[Reverend_T_Preedy]

erm...we beat you in every facet of cycling atm. open your eyes buddy.

Except the mens elite ITT, womens elite ITT, junior womens road race, mens U23 road race and track events when they actually mean something. Not to forget that Britain have the best sprinter in the world

In all seriousness, Australia are ahead of GB in a lot of aspects of cycling largely due to the fact that funding for cycling in Britain has only really be going for 10 years.

However, to say the Aussies are better at every facet of cycling at the moment is complete and utter rubbish and you know that. You're obviously gutted Hepburn didn't win but come on, remove the rose tinted glasses every now and again.

 

[auscyclefan94]

Except the mens elite ITT, womens elite ITT, junior womens road race, mens U23 road race and track events when they actually mean something. Not to forget that Britain have the best sprinter in the world

In all seriousness, Australia are ahead of GB in a lot of aspects of cycling largely due to the fact that funding for cycling in Britain has only really be going for 10 years.

However, to say the Aussies are better at every facet of cycling at the moment is complete and utter rubbish and you know that. You're obviously gutted Hepburn didn't win but come on, remove the rose tinted glasses every now and again.

overall we are still a better nation. a world championship doesn't necessarily say one country is better than another.

 

[theyoungest]

Looks like Raymond Kreder was the main sprinter for the Netherlands. Went backwards as soon as the sprint started and was passed by two teammates, who finished 7th and 11th.

As for the course: like somebody said, maybe if they'd ride it the other way around, it could be somewhat selective. Now it's crap.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

SO, we'll see a big sprint from a big group tomorrow and on sunday.
U23 told it. Usually tell it.

Congrats to the Frenchies. Chapeau.

women is usually a little more unpredictable.

 

[auscyclefan94]

Our girl Rochelle Gilmore is gotta be a good chance.

 

[theyoungest]

women is usually a little more unpredictable.

If Vosje doesn't win this, I'll cry. This finish is just perfect for her. The rest of the course isn't though.

 

[Tuarts]

87 riders finished with the peloton. That's a lot of riders.

Presuming that the men rider at a harder tempo (comparatively), I think we may see a 60 rider bunch sprint. I had it down to about 40. Will be interesting. Although the straight after the last corner gives the teams a little leeway in setting up their trains, so whilst position is important, it wont necessarily be one of the biggest factors in the outcome.

Edit: Oh and how much does Petit look built like a seasoned pro?

 

[William H]

Left on the front with over a km to go?
My idea of well placed clearly differs with yours and Team Oz.

On the wheel of the rider who got third.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

Our girl Rochelle Gilmore is gotta be a good chance.

well vos has already shotgunned 2nd place, so she can come 3rd maybe

 

[Tuarts]

Our girl Rochelle Gilmore is gotta be a good chance.

I'd pick Hosking for the better result.

 

[maltiv]

Basically, what we learned today was that:

1. It's virtually impossible to get away. Even if the entire field are watching each other and not one single team takes responsibility, you're still going to get caught.

2. It's almost impossible to get dropped...Unless you fall or puncture, both of which will occur to several of the big favorites on sunday.

3. The sprint is too tough for Cavendish and he won't win even if he's in a good position in the final 500 meters.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

If Vosje doesn't win this, I'll cry. This finish is just perfect for her. The rest of the course isn't though.

the finish bodes well for her, it it comes together i would back her.

The dutch have a very strong team, so they should be able to control the race in her favor, but we'll see.

WC would be so fitting this year (like every year basically), but Marianne has really stepped up another level this year.

 

[spalco]

overall we are still a better nation. a world championship doesn't necessarily say one country is better than another.

No race says one country is better than another.

 

[Reverend_T_Preedy]

overall we are still a better nation. a world championship doesn't necessarily say one country is better than another.

Not arguing with that. I think overall you are. But there's still aspects of cycling where you aren't better.

Anyway, this is off topic.

The U23 race was good fun to watch. Lots of attacking but it was inevitable it was going to end in a sprint.

 

[Reverend_T_Preedy]

Basically, what we learned today was that:

1. It's virtually impossible to get away. Even if the entire field are watching each other and not one single team takes responsibility, you're still going to get caught.

2. It's almost impossible to get dropped...Unless you fall or puncture, both of which will occur to several of the big favorites on sunday.

3. The sprint is too tough for Cavendish and he won't win even if he's in a good position in the final 500 meters.

I agree with that. I wouldn't completely rule out Cav just yet though even through my gut feeling is he'll not win. If he's up there at the end he needs to leave his sprint to the last possible moment. The climb seems to flatten out in the last 100m or so. He needs to be either lead to 100 to 150m go by Thomas or hold the wheel of someone like Hushovd and then get round him.

The course looks dead easy for a pro. The climbs are insignificant. Even the drag to the line isn't as hard as it looks on the TV.