Team sizes finalised for World Championship

[MacBAir]

Re:

Oh great. The Great One Day Race With The 9 Man Teams. Flat roads. No obstacles whatsoever. I can't wait

Wind? Echelons? Tour of Qatar? Tom, Fabian and Peter destroying the field?

 

[MatParker117]

Re: Re:

I think it could end up being a pretty hard race. 260km long, 150km through open desert with a decent chance of crosswinds, and temperatures reaching close to 40 degrees. Plus, strong teams like Holland, Belgium, Spain and Switzerland all trying everything to avoid a straight up sprint.

It will be much, much harder to win than any of the Tour de France stages that Cavendish took. I think it favours the more rounded sprinters like Kristoff, Degenkolb and Sagan, who have proven they can last the distance and handle difficulties within a race.

Don't think the Dutch will go with Dylan or DVP? On the other note France, Italy, GB, Australia and Norway will all bring teams committed to a sprint.

Would be ridiculous for either of those teams to ride commited to a sprint. Sure, take Nizzolo, Matthews or whoever else in case it ends in a sprint. But they're not going to win an easy race; both countries would be much better taking a punt on a late solo attack or at least trying to make it a harder, more selective race. Same for the Dutch - they're much better off trying to make a more selective race, particularly if there is some kind of wind.

It will be a one day race / monument specialist that wins this. Kittel has no chance, Greipel very little chance and I don't think Cavendish has that distance in his legs any more - GB should probably be riding for Swift or Thomas.

Cav knows how to win in Qatar hell he's won Qatar twice and he's by far there best bet, Australia will ride for Ewan not Matthews and Nizzolo and Viviani are apparently sprinting it out in the UK to lead Italy.

 

[DFA123]

Re: Re:

I think it could end up being a pretty hard race. 260km long, 150km through open desert with a decent chance of crosswinds, and temperatures reaching close to 40 degrees. Plus, strong teams like Holland, Belgium, Spain and Switzerland all trying everything to avoid a straight up sprint.

It will be much, much harder to win than any of the Tour de France stages that Cavendish took. I think it favours the more rounded sprinters like Kristoff, Degenkolb and Sagan, who have proven they can last the distance and handle difficulties within a race.

Don't think the Dutch will go with Dylan or DVP? On the other note France, Italy, GB, Australia and Norway will all bring teams committed to a sprint.

Would be ridiculous for either of those teams to ride commited to a sprint. Sure, take Nizzolo, Matthews or whoever else in case it ends in a sprint. But they're not going to win an easy race; both countries would be much better taking a punt on a late solo attack or at least trying to make it a harder, more selective race. Same for the Dutch - they're much better off trying to make a more selective race, particularly if there is some kind of wind.

It will be a one day race / monument specialist that wins this. Kittel has no chance, Greipel very little chance and I don't think Cavendish has that distance in his legs any more - GB should probably be riding for Swift or Thomas.

Cav knows how to win in Qatar hell he's won Qatar twice and he's by far there best bet, Australia will ride for Ewan not Matthews and Nizzolo and Viviani are apparently sprinting it out in the UK to lead Italy.

I think previous results in Qatar are completely irrelevant here. Those stages Cavendish won were largely soft pedalled and short. This is the World Championships, not some pre-season warm up races - it's long and will be raced very, very hard. It's also going to be very, very hot - a real test of endurance.

Ewan obviously has no chance in a tough race of that distance. There's no way Australia will ride for him. If Matthews isn't going, then they'll definitely try with a late attack.

Aside from the two big favourites, Kristoff and Sagan, I think some of the tough classics guys who can hold their sprint after a really tough race have a chance. Either from a late attack or a reduced bunch. Likes of Cancellara, Kwiatkowski, Stybar, GVA.

 

[TMP402]

Re: Re:

I think it could end up being a pretty hard race. 260km long, 150km through open desert with a decent chance of crosswinds, and temperatures reaching close to 40 degrees. Plus, strong teams like Holland, Belgium, Spain and Switzerland all trying everything to avoid a straight up sprint.

It will be much, much harder to win than any of the Tour de France stages that Cavendish took. I think it favours the more rounded sprinters like Kristoff, Degenkolb and Sagan, who have proven they can last the distance and handle difficulties within a race.

Don't think the Dutch will go with Dylan or DVP? On the other note France, Italy, GB, Australia and Norway will all bring teams committed to a sprint.

Would be ridiculous for either of those teams to ride commited to a sprint. Sure, take Nizzolo, Matthews or whoever else in case it ends in a sprint. But they're not going to win an easy race; both countries would be much better taking a punt on a late solo attack or at least trying to make it a harder, more selective race. Same for the Dutch - they're much better off trying to make a more selective race, particularly if there is some kind of wind.

It will be a one day race / monument specialist that wins this. Kittel has no chance, Greipel very little chance and I don't think Cavendish has that distance in his legs any more - GB should probably be riding for Swift or Thomas.

Cav knows how to win in Qatar hell he's won Qatar twice and he's by far there best bet, Australia will ride for Ewan not Matthews and Nizzolo and Viviani are apparently sprinting it out in the UK to lead Italy.

I really hope they're not doing that because Tour of Britain sprint finishes tend to be a far cry from the kind of sprint we'll have at the WCs.

 

[Alexandre B.]

Re:

I'm wondering what France's plan is.

Bouhanni is in nice form now. Démare has to step up in Eneco Tour.

 

[DNP-Old]

Re: Re:

It would be fun to see how those tiny mountain goats work for Gaviria!

Gaviria is riding with the U23's, and he'll have plenty of decent help.

Nice joke

Jhonatan Restrepo, Wilmar Paredes, Sebastian Molano, Carlos Ramirez and perhaps Jhon Rodriguez or Juan Osorio is a pretty good team for an U23 race. Oh what a nice joke it is.

 

[DNP-Old]

Re: Re:

It would be fun to see how those tiny mountain goats work for Gaviria!

Gaviria is riding with the U23's, and he'll have plenty of decent help.

Really? A little undercooked endurace wise after Rio, maybe? Interesting, as Viviani and Cav are probably in the same boat.

That decision had already been made as early as May.

 

[SafeBet]

Trentin could actually be Italy's best shot in a race like this. Belgium will make it harder than what we expect it to be.

 

[liamito]

Re:

Wonder if Cancellara can do something. Just got pipped to the line by Greipel for 3rd place in the similarly long Copenhagen route

He won't be there.

 

[TommyGun]

Re: Re:

I'm wondering what France's plan is.

Bouhanni is in nice form now. Démare has to step up in Eneco Tour.

Yes, I think this race has Bouhanni written all over it. Can you imagine him with the World Champion jersey next year, wreaking havoc in messy sprint finishes? Cannot wait :lol:

 

[CheckMyPecs]

Re: Re:

I'm wondering what France's plan is.

Bouhanni is in nice form now. Démare has to step up in Eneco Tour.

Yes, I think this race has Bouhanni written all over it. Can you imagine him with the World Champion jersey next year, wreaking havoc in messy sprint finishes? Cannot wait :lol:

Give him this instead of the rainbow jersey.

 

[silvergrenade]

Re: Re:

I'm wondering what France's plan is.

Bouhanni is in nice form now. Démare has to step up in Eneco Tour.

Yes, I think this race has Bouhanni written all over it. Can you imagine him with the World Champion jersey next year, wreaking havoc in messy sprint finishes? Cannot wait :lol:

Give him this instead of the rainbow jersey.

:lol: :lol:

 

[simoni]

Re: Re:

I'm wondering what France's plan is.

Bouhanni is in nice form now. Démare has to step up in Eneco Tour.

Yes, I think this race has Bouhanni written all over it. Can you imagine him with the World Champion jersey next year, wreaking havoc in messy sprint finishes? Cannot wait :lol:

Give him this instead of the rainbow jersey.

:lol: :lol:

Think it depends on the severity of weather conditions and, if they are severe, how willing are non-Cav teams to take the risk of losing in order to win? He's an obvious favourite and with 9 men GB should be able to keep him safe and ready to sprint.

Will any other sprinters fancy beating him? Not so sure. If its windy will Belgium or NL be willing to try and mix it in the crosswinds? I hope so but wind strength and direction makes all the difference.

 

[barmaher]

I think people are putting way too much hope on crosswinds. And the idea of a long, hot day in the saddle being too much for Kittel and Cav doesn't wash for me.

Kittel's stage win in this year's Tour was on the longest and one of the hottest days. 232km. There is very little to suggest that his effectiveness deteriorates as races get longer. Hillier, yes. Longer, no.
Cavendish has won MSR and the WCRR over endurance distances.

This is going to be a sprint, with Cav, Kittel/Greipel to the fore. You might as well accept it now rather than being disappointed on the day

 

[SKSemtex]

Strange that Slovakia is in top ten (9 exactly) in UCI nation rankings ahead of Russia Switzerland Germany Norway and still has only 3 spots. I am not saying they can be much of a help in the end but especially in Doha there is quite good chance they could stay for quite long with him.

 

[Thepirateisgood]

Don't you need to have some number in top 300 or euro results in addition?

Don't quite understand why Norway should have 9 though, still they are getting some numbers now in pro-ranks

 

[Escarabajo]

Re: Re:

It would be fun to see how those tiny mountain goats work for Gaviria!

Gaviria is riding with the U23's, and he'll have plenty of decent help.

I didn't know that. Hum. Is there any rider capable of challenging Gaviria on the sprint of the U23 field?

I mean, his support is critical for the race to end in a sprint. Not sure with the help you mentioned we will be able to do that. I sure hope so.

 

[robin440]

the columbians will get blown off the road in the crosswinds

 

[Ruudz0r]

Re: Re:

It would be fun to see how those tiny mountain goats work for Gaviria!

Gaviria is riding with the U23's, and he'll have plenty of decent help.

Really? A little undercooked endurace wise after Rio, maybe? Interesting, as Viviani and Cav are probably in the same boat.

That decision had already been made as early as May.

Source? There have been several articles/interviews during the year in which he was in doubt and I believe last time he said he thought he was going to start in the elite race.

 

[diego721]

Re: Re:

It would be fun to see how those tiny mountain goats work for Gaviria!

Gaviria is riding with the U23's, and he'll have plenty of decent help.

In my knowledge, Gaviria can't ride U23 because he is a WT rider.

 

[deneb]

Strange that Slovakia is in top ten (9 exactly) in UCI nation rankings ahead of Russia Switzerland Germany Norway and still has only 3 spots. I am not saying they can be much of a help in the end but especially in Doha there is quite good chance they could stay for quite long with him.

Slovakia is 12th

 

[Ruudz0r]

Re: Re:

It would be fun to see how those tiny mountain goats work for Gaviria!

Gaviria is riding with the U23's, and he'll have plenty of decent help.

In my knowledge, Gaviria can't ride U23 because he is a WT rider.

Rules changed they can now.

 

[DFA123]

Re:

I think people are putting way too much hope on crosswinds. And the idea of a long, hot day in the saddle being too much for Kittel and Cav doesn't wash for me.

Kittel's stage win in this year's Tour was on the longest and one of the hottest days. 232km. There is very little to suggest that his effectiveness deteriorates as races get longer. Hillier, yes. Longer, no.
Cavendish has won MSR and the WCRR over endurance distances.

This is going to be a sprint, with Cav, Kittel/Greipel to the fore. You might as well accept it now rather than being disappointed on the day

A long tour stage is not at all comparable to a long World Championships though. In a long tour stage, most of the day is soft pedalled. Many teams are just looking to save energy and get through the day, and no-one is really taxed at all - losing concentration with the boredom and crashing is the main concern.

A World Championship, even on a flat course, is raced much, much harder. Every country is there trying to win on the day - there is no more suitable stage that they can rest up for tomorrow or the day after. And most countries know that they have to make it a hard race to eliminate riders like Cav.

I think it will be a really tough race. Dull but tough. Kind of like a sprinter's version of Amstel Gold, where nothing much seems to be happening, but gradually riders start dropping off or drifting to the back. And finally, a relatively unfancied one day specialist who can sprint a bit will win, as pre-race favourites don't have the legs or aren't there at the finish.

 

[DNP-Old]

Re: Re:

It would be fun to see how those tiny mountain goats work for Gaviria!

Gaviria is riding with the U23's, and he'll have plenty of decent help.

Really? A little undercooked endurace wise after Rio, maybe? Interesting, as Viviani and Cav are probably in the same boat.

That decision had already been made as early as May.

Source? There have been several articles/interviews during the year in which he was in doubt and I believe last time he said he thought he was going to start in the elite race.

He said it on RMC, I know that for sure. I'll try to find the article.

 

[PremierAndrew]

Re: Re:

I think people are putting way too much hope on crosswinds. And the idea of a long, hot day in the saddle being too much for Kittel and Cav doesn't wash for me.

Kittel's stage win in this year's Tour was on the longest and one of the hottest days. 232km. There is very little to suggest that his effectiveness deteriorates as races get longer. Hillier, yes. Longer, no.
Cavendish has won MSR and the WCRR over endurance distances.

This is going to be a sprint, with Cav, Kittel/Greipel to the fore. You might as well accept it now rather than being disappointed on the day

I point you to Copenhagen. 266km, Cancellara almost beat Greipel in the sprint. Then throw in the heat, and you can see why this isn't necessarily Kittel v Cav. Over this distance, I'd actually have Kristoff as one of the top favourites if it was in super cool conditions, even though in a Tour stage he'd be a 2nd tier sprinter, along with Sagan Bouhanni Viviani etc