Ponferrada 2014 World Championships, Sep. 21st-28th

[Jspear]

The way he wins races is sitting on peoples wheels the whole time. I do not respect a rider who does that. If you are not strong enough, then you wouldn't ride on the front but he clearly is decent enough to ride on the front in these races, so he should do so.

Thing is, he will be so marked it would be stupid of him to do anything but wait for a bunch sprint. If he is thinking correctly he will know that the moment he tries anything from farther out everyone else will be right on him....he isn't interested in making us happy. He wants to win....best way for him to do that, is to keep all his power dry till the end.

I can't see Valverde doing anything epic. Riders like Kristoff, Matthews, Degenkolb will also be hoping for a bunch sprint. I'm thinking the best hope of action we have is riders like Cancellara doing something. Riders that know they can't beat Gerrans or Sagan in a bunch finish. He says he is going for gold - he is only doing the road race. I wouldn't be surprised to see him try and get away....thing is he would have to be extremely strong. Maybe the Americans will try something earlier than later....

I think this route is very hard to predict. Whatever happens, I just hope there is a lot of attacking.

 

[Sasquatch]

When Cancellara goes, Sagan will go with him. Gerrans will be a ***** and stay in the peloton.

 

[memyselfandI]

Sagan has no chance against Gerro. His sprint has gone down (in couple of last years) quite a bit I dunno why but it has.

 

[wirral]

Sagan has no chance against Gerro. His sprint has gone down (in couple of last years) quite a bit I dunno why but it has.

Ridiculously over-raced by Liquigas/Cannondale is my opinion. Combined with marked heavily/nobody will work with him in every race.

But primarily stupid over-raced by stupid team management.

 

[The Hegelian]

Sagan has no chance against Gerro. His sprint has gone down (in couple of last years) quite a bit I dunno why but it has.

His sprinting form has definitely dropped off - but no chance?

It was only last year when Gerro just pipped him on a TDF stage - and that was a massive upset. Horses for courses, Sagan is a purer sprinter for sure.

 

[jens_attacks]

unfortunately, i will miss today's time trial but i let here the results:

1. wiggo
2. martin + 0;30
3. van garderen + 2;15
4. malori + 2;45
5. tvetcov + 3;20

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

The way he wins races is sitting on peoples wheels the whole time. I do not respect a rider who does that. If you are not strong enough, then you wouldn't ride on the front but he clearly is decent enough to ride on the front in these races, so he should do so.

yet you are fan of evans

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

Sagan has no chance against Gerro. His sprint has gone down (in couple of last years) quite a bit I dunno why but it has.

because he lost a lot of weight starting before last years tour de suisse

 

[cineteq]

Elite Men's ITT: Talansky or Van Garderen to podium. Hard to call it between Wiggins and Martin.

 

[grizzlee]

Elite Men's ITT: Talansky or Van Garderen to podium. Hard to call it between Wiggins and Martin.

Personally i cant see either of them getting on the podium, i couls be very wrong here but both will be lucky to make the top ten. Van Garderen has the best shot.

my prediction for what its worth
1 Martin
2 Wiggo
3 Dumoulin

 

[JimPanzen]

1 and 2 will be between Tony and Wiggo I think. Third place...hm...no idea.

 

[movingtarget]

The way he wins races is sitting on peoples wheels the whole time. I do not respect a rider who does that. If you are not strong enough, then you wouldn't ride on the front but he clearly is decent enough to ride on the front in these races, so he should do so.

Gerrans does exactly what every other sprinter does. That is how he wins. Matthews does exactly the same but does not cop the same flak simply because Gerrans has won better races. When Sagan wins, how many times does he appear on the front ? Gerrans has to be the protected rider along with Matthews. I think Evans will agree to work for them and has no choice really. The course probably does not suit Evans as well anyway and his form in the Vuelta was patchy even if he was not giving his all on every stage. Gerrans will be closely marked and it's hard to see a group dragging him to the finish this time. They will attack him but will they get rid of him ? He is in great form. It could actually work in Matthews favour if he is there at the finish. Would like to see Cadel put in a good ride and I still think it's possible if the Vuelta did not take too much out of him. Gerrans will be even harder to beat if Evans rides well.

 

[movingtarget]

Personally i cant see either of them getting on the podium, i couls be very wrong here but both will be lucky to make the top ten. Van Garderen has the best shot.

my prediction for what its worth
1 Martin
2 Wiggo
3 Dumoulin

Probably the most likely podium.

 

[Fight.The.Power]

Coverage for UK viewers only . . . . ( I think)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/29334984

 

[auscyclefan94]

Gerrans does exactly what every other sprinter does. That is how he wins. Matthews does exactly the same but does not cop the same flak simply because Gerrans has won better races. When Sagan wins, how many times does he appear on the front ? Gerrans has to be the protected rider along with Matthews. I think Evans will agree to work for them and has no choice really. The course probably does not suit Evans as well anyway and his form in the Vuelta was patchy even if he was not giving his all on every stage. Gerrans will be closely marked and it's hard to see a group dragging him to the finish this time. They will attack him but will they get rid of him ? He is in great form. It could actually work in Matthews favour if he is there at the finish. Would like to see Cadel put in a good ride and I still think it's possible if the Vuelta did not take too much out of him. Gerrans will be even harder to beat if Evans to rides well.

Gerrans is not a sprinter though and Liege Bastogne Liege nor even Milan San Remo are sprinting events. When it is man on man or when there are a few small groups racing for the win, I find it extremely annoying that he sits on the wheel and simply takes advantage of other riders who actually deserve to win.

 

[Hugo Koblet]

Prediction jens style:

1. Wiggins
2. Tony +'4
3. Kiryienka +1'26
4. Dumoulin +1'38
5. Quaade +1'52

 

[wirral]

The hills at the end are really gonna to cause some turnarounds in terms of splits. Are they particularly extreme for a WC TT?

 

[yespatterns]

My prediction:

1) martin
2) wiggo
3) dennis
4) dumoulin
5) malori

Should be interesting to see everyone's end of season form though no matter what.

 

[will10]

Why is Ludvigsson off so early? He's gonna be on the hot seat for a long ol' time.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

Why is Ludvigsson off so early? He's gonna be on the hot seat for a long ol' time.

there are like 5 riders in the bnext 20 starters that could eaisly beat him

 

[wirral]

Why is Ludvigsson off so early? He's gonna be on the hot seat for a long ol' time.

Indeed, if the wind changes, he may win the title. Unlikely but not impossible.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

Why is Ludvigsson off so early? He's gonna be on the hot seat for a long ol' time.

lol pliushkin already faster

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

Indeed, if the wind changes, he may win the title. Unlikely but not impossible.

lol are you serious?

 

[yespatterns]

Can anyone recommend a good ticker to follow?

 

[cineteq]

Can anyone recommend a good ticker to follow?

Intermediate Times
http://static.sportresult.com/federations/uci/CR2014/