World Championships 2023: Men's Road Race (August 6)

[yaco]

What’s going on with Matthews, I see a bunch of DNFs lately but would see him go well here.

Crashed in the one day race Ordiazko Klasika - Backed up in the two day race Castilla Y leon and only got through one day - Was never going to finish San Sebastian - This is a big target race for the year, so hoping he's recovered from the crash - Otherwise, Australia will support Groves.

 

[Netserk]

I'm mostly sad that the whole race isn't solely on the city circuit, but it is what it is.

 

[King Boonen]

In Denmark, it's difficult to not get too many. No really, a handshake will suffice.

Inlaws are French/Arabs. Hugs and kisses!

 

[Mayomaniac]

Van Baarle is always a good outsider pick in this kind of race.

 

[Sciatic]

Some notes on the course from my own riding experience:

Everything before the Crow is easy. The Carron Valley road is a beautiful sweeping ride with a great, fast descent that starts just where the Loup of Fintry Waterfall is. I would have preferred them to get into the valley coming over the Tak ma Doon Road, which is a far harder climb than the road from Denny. I personally think that's a huge miss in the route design.

The Crow road is an easy climb in good conditions, with the steeper parts being well sheltered, but the top is a wind tunnel which can have it's own weather system. Plenty of times I've ridden the Carron Valley in summer clothing and then been desperately reaching for a jacket up the top of the Crow, a couple of times because it was snowing. There's also a nasty false flat you hit just as you meet the worst of the wind. I very much doubt it'll do much in the mens race, but given the technical nature of the circuit, if a larger break goes in the womens or u23 race, there's a chance they could stay away.

The circuit itself looks much better than the previous two iterations. The addition of Scott Street is going to cause some talk due to the steepness of the initial ramp. I've not been out to see how it's going to be barriered yet (probably can't until Saturday) but the entrance is very wide and it narrows up. If you're looking on Google Street view, you want the pictures either side of the entrance with the cycle lane present. The actual ramp is steep but short and I think the bigest effect it's going to have is stringing out the bunch as they enter the series of right angle turns that make up the city centre portion of the circuit. I don't think there's enough there for anyone to spring an attack from a reduced bunch, but I do expect it to thin out the peloton.

Montrose Street is the last ramp before the finish line and leads back to George Square this time, rather than out to Glasgow Green. The distance from the top to the finish is shorter, the descent is shorter than High Street and the course has 4 right angle turns that are fairly wide but might be enough to allow someone to hold a small gap they make on Montrose. The finish straight is long enough for a better sprinter to chase a leader down, but it'll be close.

The changes to the Gibson Street part of the circuit are interesting too. After climbing great George street, on previous circuits, riders descended Gibson Street and carried on down Eldon, to Woodlands and turned at woodlands gate. This time they'll turn into Kelvingrove at the beginning of Eldon. I'm assuming they're removing the traffic lights etc., but even with that done it'll be a very tight turn under hard breaking before the climb up to Lord Roberts. This may tempt some riders to have a go on Great George to try get a gap. Park Circus and Lynedoch down to Woodlands and along Sauchiehall (pronounced sockie-hall) to Scott Street might be technical enough to hold a gap before that city centre maze.

The other changes in both the city centre and the West End add to the technical nature of the circuit and take in some nice views of the Kelvingrove Art Gallery, Snow Bridge etc. They'll also make University avenue a tiny harder as I expect the entrance speed will be a bit less (might be wrong there, but I think the turn off sunlight way will slow them down in the rain). Overall I think it's a great circuit that provides loads of opportunity for riders to make the race interesting. I'm hoping to ride the closed circuit very early on Sunday morning (if I can get on), so I'll post up if there's anything obvious worth mentioning.


For what it's worth, I've regularly climbed all of the hills involved, including the Crow, on a fairly big fixed gear. Clearly not at WC speeds but with lots of miles in my legs beforehand and much less chance to carry speed into the city centre ones. There's nothing especially difficult about any of them individually. The repetition is going to hurt but it'll be on the riders to decide how much.

Excellent “report from the field”—thanks!

 

[Rob5091]

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2...niam-girmay-denied-uk-visa-for-glasgow-worlds

Biniam Girmay, Africa’s leading professional cyclist and one of the favourites for the world championships road race in Glasgow on Sunday, is understood to have been denied a UK visa ...

One of those who has assisted Girmay with his visa application told the Guardian: “If the UK wants to organise a world championships, then maybe facilitate and help the riders to get a visa, or call it the European championships.”

Girmay is not the only African rider to be missing out in Glasgow, with his compatriots Natnael Tesfatsion, Merhawi Kudus, and Amanuel Ghebreigzabhier also reported to have been denied visas to enter the UK.

BUT....
Some European nations have had a much more positive experience, according to Andriy Grivko, President of the Ukrainian Cycling Federation, who said that he had experienced “no problems”.
“It was a little difficult to get a licence of participation because of our [world] ranking,” Grivko said, acknowledging the impact of the Russian invasion on Ukraine’s athletes, “but we have had great support from the UCI with help for our accommodation, travel and also vehicles.”

The Ukrainian team are taking 40 in their delegation, composed of 29 athletes and 11 staff to Glasgow, and have enjoyed significant financial support from the UCI, in the region of €100,000 (£86,000), according to Grivko. He added that the UCI had also financially supported the Ukrainian team’s participation in the world championships in Australia in 2022.

(What a circus!)

 

[Unchained]

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2...niam-girmay-denied-uk-visa-for-glasgow-worlds

Biniam Girmay, Africa’s leading professional cyclist and one of the favourites for the world championships road race in Glasgow on Sunday, is understood to have been denied a UK visa ...

One of those who has assisted Girmay with his visa application told the Guardian: “If the UK wants to organise a world championships, then maybe facilitate and help the riders to get a visa, or call it the European championships.”

Girmay is not the only African rider to be missing out in Glasgow, with his compatriots Natnael Tesfatsion, Merhawi Kudus, and Amanuel Ghebreigzabhier also reported to have been denied visas to enter the UK.

BUT....
Some European nations have had a much more positive experience, according to Andriy Grivko, President of the Ukrainian Cycling Federation, who said that he had experienced “no problems”.
“It was a little difficult to get a licence of participation because of our [world] ranking,” Grivko said, acknowledging the impact of the Russian invasion on Ukraine’s athletes, “but we have had great support from the UCI with help for our accommodation, travel and also vehicles.”

The Ukrainian team are taking 40 in their delegation, composed of 29 athletes and 11 staff to Glasgow, and have enjoyed significant financial support from the UCI, in the region of €100,000 (£86,000), according to Grivko. He added that the UCI had also financially supported the Ukrainian team’s participation in the world championships in Australia in 2022.

(What a circus!)

Someone should tell Cycling News..they are reporting that his non start is due to a crash.

 

[Rob5091]

https://content.globalcyclingnetwork.com/blogposts/64ca088a4ef4fb3a78980bc1
GCN understands that Girmay's visa application was not approved, and that three of his teammates for Sunday's road race have also been unable to acquire visas.

At present, three Eritrean have been granted visas for the Worlds: Natnael Berhane, Henok Mulubrahn, and Dawit Yemane. Three others from the named squad, as it stands, are unable to travel: Natnael Tesfatsion, Merhawi Kudus, and Amanuel Ghebreigzabhier.

Girmay was part of that group but on Wednesday morning his Intermarché-Circus-Wanty team issued a statement indicating he had withdrawn citing injuries sustained in last weekend's Clásica San Sebastián.
...
It is still not impossible for Tesfatsion, Kudus, and Ghebreigzabhier to ride Worlds, with appointments said to have been put in place for Thursday, and the option of a fast-tracked 24-hour visa application. Kudus is currently racing the Tour de l’Ain, which finishes on Wednesday, but needs to return to Andorra, where he resides, in order to submit his application.

Girmay lives in San Marino, a state within Italy, along with Tesfatsion and Ghebreigzabhier, who is also at the Tour de l’Ain. Most members of the squad were planning to travel to the UK on Friday.
...
Visa headaches are no stranger to Girmay and his compatriots, and present one of the major hurdles to African riders turning professional in cycling’s European heartlands. Once established in a European country, things are easier, although the UK is no longer part of the EU, meaning the Schengen visas commonly used do not cover the 2023 Worlds.

(So the visa was a problem, but as he was injured it does n't matter anyway. Hope the other 3 guys can get a visa sorted out in time.)

 

[Unchained]

https://content.globalcyclingnetwork.com/blogposts/64ca088a4ef4fb3a78980bc1
GCN understands that Girmay's visa application was not approved, and that three of his teammates for Sunday's road race have also been unable to acquire visas.

At present, three Eritrean have been granted visas for the Worlds: Natnael Berhane, Henok Mulubrahn, and Dawit Yemane. Three others from the named squad, as it stands, are unable to travel: Natnael Tesfatsion, Merhawi Kudus, and Amanuel Ghebreigzabhier.

Girmay was part of that group but on Wednesday morning his Intermarché-Circus-Wanty team issued a statement indicating he had withdrawn citing injuries sustained in last weekend's Clásica San Sebastián.
...
It is still not impossible for Tesfatsion, Kudus, and Ghebreigzabhier to ride Worlds, with appointments said to have been put in place for Thursday, and the option of a fast-tracked 24-hour visa application. Kudus is currently racing the Tour de l’Ain, which finishes on Wednesday, but needs to return to Andorra, where he resides, in order to submit his application.

Girmay lives in San Marino, a state within Italy, along with Tesfatsion and Ghebreigzabhier, who is also at the Tour de l’Ain. Most members of the squad were planning to travel to the UK on Friday.
...
Visa headaches are no stranger to Girmay and his compatriots, and present one of the major hurdles to African riders turning professional in cycling’s European heartlands. Once established in a European country, things are easier, although the UK is no longer part of the EU, meaning the Schengen visas commonly used do not cover the 2023 Worlds.

(So the visa was a problem, but as he was injured it does n't matter anyway. Hope the other 3 guys can get a visa sorted out in time.)

Wow..ugly. Looks like other cycling sources are asleep Velo News( Velo) also reporting won't start because of crash at San Sebastian

 

[Unchained]

Road worlds ticker: Crash forces Girmay to forfeit worlds, Longo Borghini sidelined with infection

Follow all the news and updates for the UCI Cycling World Championships.

velo.outsideonline.com

 

[RedheadDane]

Wow..ugly. Looks like other cycling sources are asleep Velo News( Velo) also reporting won't start because of crash at San Sebastian

Well, that's what Intermarché is writing on their social media.

 

[Rob5091]

Well, that's what Intermarché is writing on their social media.

Yeah, technically correct (if true), but if he was fit then he'd have visa problems.

 

[Ricco']

So Morocco, Algeria, Rwanda, Venezuela, etc. riders also had problems with the visas or it was more a case of an error by whoever was in charge of the process for the Eritrean team? Although the system may be outdated, I think it's an important issue that should be clarified.

From memory, it's not the first case. Then Giro winner Carapaz didn't also receive a visa in time for 2019 Tour of Britain who, coincidentally, also started in Glasgow.

 

[Rechtschreibfehler]

The Fortress Europe shows it's nice side again. What a *** farce.

 

[Ricco']

The Fortress Europe shows it's nice side again. What a *** farce.

As if it was only Europe.

US star Lawson Craddock refused visa to race at Australian world championships

'There’s still a couple options and alleyways we’re pursuing to work it out.' Craddock chasing the paperwork to take top Vuelta a España form to worlds.

velo.outsideonline.com

Weiterleitungshinweis

www.google.com

 

[Netserk]

Borders are enforced?! Simply outrageous.

 

[search]

So Morocco, Algeria, Rwanda, Venezuela, etc. riders also had problems with the visas or it was more a case of an error by whoever was in charge of the process for the Eritrean team? Although the system may be outdated, I think it's an important issue that should be clarified.

personally I haven't read anything, so yeah, it would definitely need more information before starting to blame anyone.

Only the WT riders seem to be affected, but no idea if this is a conicidence or not, or in which way the application process may have worked out differently for them.

 

[Aimar16]

UK is no longer part of the EU, meaning the Schengen visas commonly used do not cover the 2023 Worlds.

The UK has never been a member of the Schengen Area. But the British mob, even after leaving the EU, could come without visas and smash everything after football matches. Total corrupt hellhole both blocks

 

[Barnacle Bill]

This is what the BBC reported on it, guess we'll find out soon if the others get theirs:

Global Cycling Network said the four had been denied visas to enter the country. One of the riders, Merhawi Kudus, retweeted a link to the story,
writing "Sad!!" and tagging world governing body the UCI and event organisers.

The secretary-general of the Eritrean Cycling Federation, Misghina Haile, told BBC Tigrinya that no Eritrean cyclist had been denied a visa - with some who had applied still awaiting a decision.

Eritrean cyclist Natnael Berhane told the BBC he and two others had been granted visas.

 

[Blanco]

I would really like to se Evenepoel/Van Der Poel duel.

 

[Aimar16]

This is what the BBC reported on it, guess we'll find out soon if the others get theirs:

The secretary-general of the Eritrean Cycling Federation, Misghina Haile, told BBC Tigrinya that no Eritrean cyclist had been denied a visa - with some who had applied still awaiting a decision.

This is not mentioned in the BBC Tigriniyan article - https://www-bbc-com.translate.goog/...uto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en-US&_x_tr_pto=wapp

 

[Gigs_98]

The route does suit MvdP brilliantly but I can't help but shake the feeling that the peloton still won't have an answer to an early Remco attack. The Remco card with Van Aert sucking wheels is simply almost unfair.

Also, if Pog has a decent shape he'll be extremely dangerous. Crucially I can see Remco collaborating with him and that might just be the path to victory.

 

[jaylew]

The route does suit MvdP brilliantly but I can't help but shake the feeling that the peloton still won't have an answer to an early Remco attack. The Remco card with Van Aert sucking wheels is simply almost unfair.

Also, if Pog has a decent shape he'll be extremely dangerous. Crucially I can see Remco collaborating with him and that might just be the path to victory.

I don't think Mathieu can afford not to go with a Remco long ranger, especially if Pog is involved.

 

[Boehmand]

I think strength and coherence of the team becomes key in this race, where there is a lot of sharp corners where you want to be in the front 30, a lot of stop and go through all the technical sections, and a lot of crashes with the expected rain, which combined means cars will be far off the back much of the time, and there are no team radios at Worlds.

For that reason I think guys like Pogacar, Healy and Almeira will struggle with their relatively weak teams, expecially as the very bendy circuit makes it hard to resupply and to communicate with your team car.

Belgium has, by far, the strongest team, and I see Evenepoel and Van Aert as the two main contenders, with Philipsen being the obvious 3rd option if they get to the line in a big group (which I doubt).

After that I'd put the Danish team with captains Asgreen and Mads P, the French team with probable captains Laporte and Alaphilippe, and the Italian team probably riding for Bettiol and Trentin.

The GB, Spain, Netherlands, Australia, US, Swiss and Norwegian teams are a cut below, with the rest of the teams being close to useless leaving captains to fend for themselves early on the circuits.

So with that in mind, here some stars that take team strenght into consideration:

*****Evenepoel, Van Aert, Philipsen
****Asgreen, Pedersen, Laporte, Alaphilippe, Bettiol, Trentin
***Wright, Aranburu, MvdP, Matthews, Powless, Küng, Leknessund
**Pogacar, Healy, Almeida, Schachmann
*Gee, Gaviria, Kwiatkowski, Navaez, Lutsenko

 

[SHAD0W93]

Sounds like Almeira should be looking over his shoulder in case Almedia attacks him.