Race thread: Olympics 2020/21 Tokyo, Men's Road Race, 234k

[postmanhat]

Italy seem to have by far the strongest team in terms of depth and options. Moscon invariably rides well in national colours and it would be a shame to waste him as an 'engine'. He has as good a chance as any of them on this course. Getting Caruso into an early break might be their best option?

 

[pvieira91]

TT is easy to guess. Filippo Ganna for sure

 

[woodburn]

Alaphillipe isn't riding.

I would think Wout if he can get over the last climb, though nobody is going to want to go to the final with him. Lot of descent after the last climb so hard to see someone going solo there.

I get Pogacar being the favorite but not sure how he sprints from small group if there are better ones there.

 

[pvieira91]

Let's go João Almeida!! Bring a medal home!

 

[Volderke]

Who's the favorite?

Roglic? Pogacar? Wout Van aert? Alaphilipe?

Alaphilippe is changing diapers at home at the moment. If the race is together (or the break within reach) at mikuni, it’s Pogacar’s to loose. If not: who knows…!

 

[Red Rick]

Alaphillipe isn't riding.

I would think Wout if he can get over the last climb, though nobody is going to want to go to the final with him. Lot of descent after the last climb so hard to see someone going solo there.

I get Pogacar being the favorite but not sure how he sprints from small group if there are better ones there.

Pogacar and Roglic are probably the two fastest dudes after Van Aert likely to make it to the final, but Roglic has a tendency of losing his sprint after 6h.

 

[TourOfSardinia]

PogaCar
Van Aert
Roglic the only without automotive force

 

[woodburn]

Starts at 10 p.m. here. Figure it will be at lest six hours. Sigh.

There's always some surprises in races like this. Going to be a random medal winner, probably. Heck, Andy almost got bronze in China. Curious who it is this time.

 

[titan31]

Pogacar and Roglic are probably the two fastest dudes after Van Aert likely to make it to the final, but Roglic has a tendency of losing his sprint after 6h.

Likes of Almeida and Valverde would be strong finishers too of the main guys. I think once it's not WVA at the line, a fair few will fancy their sprint in a small group.

 

[pvieira91]

Does the nations work as a team? I mean, in Slovenia team the other cyclist will work for Pogacar and Roglic? Or is this some sort of every man for himself?
I'm from Portugal and we only have 2 riders. I hope João Almeida can finish top 3, but it's really hard

 

[titan31]

PogaCar
Van Aert
Roglic the only without automotive force

Riabushenko to make it on the podium with Pog and WVA then

 

[DoYouEvenRideBruh]

Does the nations work as a team? I mean, in Slovenia team the other cyclist will work for Pogacar and Roglic? Or is this some sort of every man for himself?
I'm from Portugal and we only have 2 riders. I hope João Almeida can finish top 3, but it's really hard

Yes, each nation sends a small team of riders (1-5 depending on the qualification process) who will work together (hopefully).

Almeida is for sure a dark horse for a podium spot, even if nobody is mentioning him. He lacks support though.

 

[Netserk]

Italy seem to have by far the strongest team in terms of depth and options. Moscon invariably rides well in national colours and it would be a shame to waste him as an 'engine'. He has as good a chance as any of them on this course. Getting Caruso into an early break might be their best option?

Caruso, Ciccone, and Nibali should all be active on or just after Fuji (if not before).

...

See you all in ~4½ hours!

 

[pvieira91]

Yes, each nation sends a small team of riders (1-5 depending on the qualification process) who will work together (hopefully).

Almeida is for sure a dark horse for a podium spot, even if nobody is mentioning him. He lacks support though.

thanks mate

 

[Rollthedice]

Heard it's gonna rain.

 

[pvieira91]

Heard it's gonna rain.

Let's hope it's gonna be a light rain.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

Heard it's gonna rain.

Voodoo is coming!

 

[Lequack]

Clearly Dumoulin will win this race. He's the freshest.

 

[will-10]

Let's hope it's gonna be a light rain.

More likely Bahrain

 

[topt]

Alaphillipe isn't riding.

I would think Wout if he can get over the last climb, though nobody is going to want to go to the final with him. Lot of descent after the last climb so hard to see someone going solo there.

I get Pogacar being the favorite but not sure how he sprints from small group if there are better ones there.

ask Alaphilippe , his sprint is just as good as Roglic if not even a bit better

 

[The Barb]

his own words. He says he is not sure whether he will get back to pre-crash 2020 form this year.

Ok. Cyclists downplaying their prospects is a centuries old tradition. Especially an attacking rider like him. When he attacks 80km out he’d love for others to pause, thinking that he won’t have form to win from so far out.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

TT is easy to guess. Filippo Ganna for sure

Not that straightforward. The TT course is pretty difficult with some seriously up and down stuff. It could be too hard for Ganna

 

[Nick2413]

I suspect there will be some good action in the break and on Fuji because teams won’t want to let it all come down to Mikuni Pass. That would pretty much funnel it down to a Rog/Pog win as they’re the only punchy guys who can climb with the pure climbers but also TT and win a sprint finish. I don’t think Wout can hang on a 10% climb for that long. Wouldn’t be surprised if someone like Valverde/Yates wins it.

 

[lenric]

bala or rogla if they end up reaching in a sprint. though rogla is kind of a question mark, as he has barely competed.

 

[movingtarget]

Not sure about Pogacar in this but its very hard to pick the winner. Something tells me it could be a surprise winner.

 

[Unchained]

It's been raining on and off for the last two days..