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The Grand 2022 Wollongong UCI Road World Championships Thread, September 18th-25th

Page 6 - Get up to date with the latest news, scores & standings from the Cycling News Community.
Yorkshire 2019 was ruined the moment MvdP bonked!

Hehe okay, I'll qualify my opinion a bit. If it's won by the best or close to the best rider on the day (which it was in Yorkshire, maybe only Sagan was stronger than Pedersen but he was way too defensive), it's fine for me.

But a situation like in 1999 where an unknown rider gets away and the favourites stare at each other and do nothing is a nightmare scenario for me in any big one-day race, but probably especially in the World Championships where there is a jersey on the line.
 
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Hehe okay, I'll qualify my opinion a bit. If it's won by the best or close to the best rider on the day (which it was in Yorkshire, maybe only Sagan was stronger than Pedersen but he was way too defensive), it's fine for me.

But a situation like in 1999 where an unknown rider gets away and the favourites stare at each other and do nothing is a nightmare scenario for me in any big one-day race, but probably especially in the World Championships where there is a jersey on the line.
1999? I wouldn’t call Freire unknown.
 
From a tactical point of view:

  • Slovenia only has one real game plan: keep things together until last punchy climb and hope Poggy either comes over the top solo or in a small group where he can sprint for victory. Other teams in a similar situation are Italy with Bettiol.
  • Belgium and Netherlands have, imo, 2 options. Either keep things together until the last climb for WVA and MVP. Or long range attacks with the likes are Remco or Van Baarle.
  • Quid France: Both Alaphilippe (if he's good enough) and cosnefroy will want to wait for the final climb. Hope they don't get in each others way.
  • Spain lacks manpower.
Am I missing something or are there only 2 really teams that could control the race with Belgium and Netherlands? Perhaps Slovenia with Tratnik and Polanc to. If Belgium and Netherland want to dynamite they race, I think they could.
GB have Rowe, Swift x 2 Tullet & Turner to control a race - I'm not sure any of the kids (Hayter, Stewart or Wright) are good enough over the distance though.
 
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I'm not a big fan of Van Aert but I hope that he or Pogacar wins this. It just seems like the most fitting end to 2022 based on their seasons. And honestly, they've been so much better than anyone else this year that it would seem a bit weird if someone else won (with wins in the Vuelta, LBL and San Sebastian you could make an argument for Evenepoel being up there as well, but to me, Pogacar and Van Aert are the kings of 2022).
Yeah, Strade, Tirreno and Montreal or E3, Plouay and Green Jersey with couple of stages is certainly up there with GT, monument and classic..., or not...
 
Yeah, Strade, Tirreno and Montreal or E3, Plouay and Green Jersey with couple of stages is certainly up there with GT, monument and classic..., or not...
I get your point. And you're right that Evenepoel has had the best season when looking only at wins. To me, Pogacar and Van Aert are the icons of the sport at the moment, always fighting for the win all season long. And I'm a big fan of Evenepoel, so I wouldn't mind him winning (if not Pogacar or Van Aert, I hope for Remco), but my personal preference is Pogacar or Van Aert.
 
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Yeah, Strade, Tirreno and Montreal or E3, Plouay and Green Jersey with couple of stages is certainly up there with GT, monument and classic..., or not...

not imo.

Pog and Remco both have 14 wins. Remco’s top wins are best.

So far - while Pog is still the greatest rider, Remco has the better season.

WvA is incredible with his placing consistency but I don’t think his season compares with the other two.

now the Worlds and Lombardia can change everything. If Pog wins either while Remco fades then I would go with Pog. If Pog wins Lombardia, but Remco wins Worlds RR, I would go with Remco. If Pog wins Worlds RR or Lombardia and Remco beats Ganna for Worlds TT, I would say it’s up in the air.

my 2 cents.
 
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Just seen the startlist of the junior ITT, few comments about the not so usual suspects. Josh Tarling is the only Britton starting, which I found interesting. Not that it matters much, he is going to win this race. Would've liked to see a Jacob Bush or Matthew Brennan, but they aren't making the trip at all. Italy is sending Renato Faveri, not a pick I like to be honest. He's a first year, but I think there are better options, such as Alessandro Catani. Nicolas Milesi I do like. Not sure if he's related to Lorenzo Milesi, the Italian version of Evenepoel. Carson Mattern will not line up at all for Canada, he's the double individual pursuit champion. He'll be saved for the road race, but it's all eyes on Michael Leonard here.

USA is opting for Alex Gustin. He has a legendary status amongst the cadets in America, but is yet to really confirm it in the European junior scene. In terms of talent I can follow this pick, but given results I would have preferred AJ August. Evan Boyle would have been a tremendous pick as well. Only started racing this year, but has since not just broken but shattered records previously set by one Magnus Sheffield. Oscar Chamberlain, the big Australian hope, is all in for the road race so he will not start. Interesting fact: Cameron Rogers is Michael Rogers' nephew. However, I'm looking at William Eaves and Hamish McKenzie in particular to get something done here. Look out for Lewis Bower as well, a very interesting prospect from New Zealand. Think I'll drop a review with the usual suspects in the weekend, but my prediction is already set in stone: 1. Josh Tarling, 2. Mathieu Kockelmann, 3. Jens Verbrugghe
 
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