• The Cycling News forum is looking to add some volunteer moderators with Red Rick's recent retirement. If you're interested in helping keep our discussions on track, send a direct message to @SHaines here on the forum, or use the Contact Us form to message the Community Team.

    In the meanwhile, please use the Report option if you see a post that doesn't fit within the forum rules.

    Thanks!

The World Championships, how though are they?

Lately I've been reading messages, especially on this place, saying the race is really harder than just a sprinters place. Especially the locals (Australians) claim that.
But other sources, riders and some managers, claim the race is suited for a bunch sprint of 50/60 men like Milano San Remo.

Now, I looked it up, the Melbourne to Geelong part isn't so important to me, it's just a run up and in that part of the race the peloton usually is pretty quiet anyway.
But then, the local circuit

00000181-fullsize.jpg


Now, I know these climbs aren't easy and have parts of 13/14% in it.
But:

1) They aren't long enough
2) They aren't close enough to the finish
3) There is a serious downhill and flat part after them

So my personal opinion is, that it's defnately not as hard as last years race, and probably comparable to Salzburg, where 4 riders just stayed away due to taking a corner good, and behind that a big bunch sprint (McEwen was in the top 10...)

I think, bunch sprint of 30 to 80 man, depending on how hard the riders make it. Chances of a small group or soloist getting to the line is really small :confused:

What are your opinions, and if you think the race is harder, then please explain why, and not just "there's a part of 13%". Because even the Amstel Gold Race with +40 climbs (30 official, +10 'non-official' steep climbs) sometimes finishes in 30-man sprint...
 
Mar 11, 2009
3,274
1
0
Visit site
Every important country has a sprinter. (Petacchi-Bennati/Boonen/Freire)
So under normal conditions there will be the regular guys trying to escape last round (Kolobnev, J-Rod, Gesink, a Schleck etc) but it's way too far from the finish.

A lot will depend on Cavendish's form. If he's in top shape it will probably be different.


...only a couple of weeks left... ;D
 
Sep 16, 2009
3,157
0
0
Visit site
The run into Geelong isn't as straightforward as you said. That time of the year here it is very windy. There could be major crosswinds come into play before they even reach the circuit.

On the circuit itself, expect strong winds.

My opinion is after seeing the course is a sprinter won't contest the finish.

If four riders attack on the last climb on the last lap or even the first climb on the last lap, they won't be caught.
 
Mar 26, 2009
2,532
1
0
www.ciclismo-espresso.com
+1

The Worlds are at the end of the season and many guys arent as strong as in Spring (talking about theiir peaks).
Plus from the end of the 2nd main climbs there's 5 kms or so to the end, enough time for organize a chase.
But it will be a lotto as usual.
 
As someone who has ridden the course on numerous occassions,this will not be a big bunch finish........there is no way Cavendish will win this...course is more suited to a Freire or Davis type of sprinter......a dont write off someone like Haussler...can climb hills ok and can sprint with the best of them.....the Aussies have a lot of cards to play.........
 
blaxland said:
As someone who has ridden the course on numerous occassions,this will not be a big bunch finish........there is no way Cavendish will win this...course is more suited to a Freire or Davis type of sprinter......a dont write off someone like Haussler...can climb hills ok and can sprint with the best of them.....the Aussies have a lot of cards to play.........

You can't rule out someone like Gilbert, Cancellara, Cunego or Valverde either. If there is a strong onshore wind by the time the race is finishing (very likely if it's a hot day) guys like them should be in the mix.
 
Aug 6, 2009
1,901
1
0
Visit site
auscyclefan94 said:
Agreed. Too steep for any other sprinter. personally I think friere is going to have to have some very good form to get over the climbs.

Might be good for Breschel then. He won't beat a real top level sprinter in a bunch finish, but he would have a good chance if they get dropped, but the course isn't tough enough for a solo finish.
 
Oct 29, 2009
2,578
0
0
Visit site
auscyclefan94 said:
Agreed. Too steep for any other sprinter. personally I think friere is going to have to have some very good form to get over the climbs.

He has a knack of being in the right shape for the races that suit him excessively well, and if anything, he needs a long distance and tough racing to make that kick of him count.

I thought he'd lost his inner fire, certainly seemed to me like that last year. But having tasted MSR again, I can only imagine what that does to his focus on adding another Rainbow Jersey to the long row he has already.

If he gets a podium in the Brabantse Pijl, he's my favourite for the WC. And I would be amazed if he did anything noteworthy in the run-up to it, after de Pijl.
 
Nov 24, 2009
1,602
0
0
Visit site
Francois the Postman said:
I can only imagine what that does to his focus on adding another Rainbow Jersey to the long row he has already.

And the 4th Worlds Jersey will put in above everyone else! Try under-rating Friere a few years after he retires then!
 
Oct 29, 2009
2,578
0
0
Visit site
Big GMaC said:
And the 4th Worlds Jersey will put in above everyone else! Try under-rating Friere a few years after he retires then!

Even with a fourth, people still won't recall who great he is/was. Seems to be that sort of rider.

[edit:] scrap that, seems to be that sort of audience [/edit]
 
The verona title 2004 was still the one that impressed me most.

Rasmussen attacked on the final climb, he was caught and passed by Boogerd. Nobody seemed to be able to get back, and then suddenly Freire appeared on the wheel of Boogerd with ease. Valverde couldn't at that time..

Freire in topform can handle any hill (except the Cauberg, where he never wins lol)
 
Oct 29, 2009
2,578
0
0
Visit site
Dekker_Tifosi said:
The verona title 2004 was still the one that impressed me most. Rasmussen attacked on the final climb, he was caught and passed by Boogerd. Nobody seemed to be able to get back, and then suddenly Freire appeared on the wheel of Boogerd with ease.

That race conclusion must still be the thing Timmy-loves-Rabo sees before him, instead of the usual rockets launching from silos, champagne bottles, and fireworks displays that Hollywood needs to fall back on to get anywhere near "climax".
 

TRENDING THREADS