World Championships preview thread

[Bonimenier]

30 seconds into the first event and you can already hear people cringely shouting "U S A"

 

[RedheadDane]

Okay, this is a bit weird, especially the fact that countries can have two teams.
But I like how Canada didn't put the Holmgren sisters on the same team; who shall win the internal battle?

 

[Samu Cuenca]

The Italian success continues.

 

[Axel Hangleck]

I think going forward, you need to see this event on the Weds/Thurs. Having it on the Friday means riders doing their event on the Saturday will be reluctant to take part. The MTB Worlds Relay is on the Wednesday from memory....

 

[lemon cheese cake]

I think going forward, you need to see this event on the Weds/Thurs. Having it on the Friday means riders doing their event on the Saturday will be reluctant to take part. The MTB Worlds Relay is on the Wednesday from memory....

It definitely needs to be as early as possible in the schedule. I think it worked fairly well today despite the lack of participants as it was dry. If the course had loads of practice on it and its muddy and cut up, then gaps that open might not be brought back by even the strongest of riders.

 

[Barkintheeye]

Don’t really know what to say about the team relay. Possibly it could develop into something interesting. This was just… odd?

Impressed by the U23 Italian men, particularly their last rider. Looked amazing and completely in control on the bike. A man for the future.

Dan Soete was fastest with a 6:58 lap followed by Vandeputte at 7:09. The two Italian U23 came in at impressive 7:10.

 

[Axel Hangleck]

Don’t really know what to say about the team relay. Possibly it could develop into something interesting. This was just… odd?

Impressed by the U23 Italian men, particularly their last rider. Looked amazing and completely in control on the bike. A man for the future.

I think they've often produced decent youth riders, but then they move to the road/MTB. Unless they get picked up by one of the big teams, it will continue to happen.

 

[glassmoon]

well that's a rather lame course

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

well that's a rather lame course

Unworthy of a WCC.

 

[Axel Hangleck]

well that's a rather lame course

And it's probably not even the worst recent WC course; Bogense & Dubendorf were probably even less interesting. At least this has a decent length climb....

 

[lemon cheese cake]

Unworthy of a WCC.

Not defending this course as it's not the best, but what would you say makes a World Champs course? Surely the beauty of the discipline is the variety of types of courses and terrain we see, which unfortunately has been lacking these last few years, so surely this is a good improvement?

 

[RedheadDane]

Ava won the Battle of the Holmgrens!

7	HOLMGREN Ava			1:38
8	HOLMGREN Isabella			1:49

 

[lemon cheese cake]

Massive group!

 

[Bonimenier]

I can't say I'm the biggest fan of the parcour.

 

[RedheadDane]

Bunch of Dutchies. Bunch of Belgians. One British guy.
Why do I have a suspicion we'll see something similar tomorrow?

 

[Mick Dundee]

Belgian lads riding this very well as a team

 

[glassmoon]

the sacrifice guy gonna win? love it!

 

[RedheadDane]

Belgians going 1-2-3.

 

[lemon cheese cake]

Well that's the way the belgians have to play it tomorrow!

 

[Mick Dundee]

Ok, it’s more like crit racing than cross racing BUT I have a feeling that the elite womens and men’s race could be epic

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Wyseure killing the Dutch softly, so two compatriats can join him on the podium.

 

[glassmoon]

Well that's the way the belgians have to play it tomorrow!

they'll definitely try but I think Pidders just gonna distance them in the climb and never look back...

 

[Samu Cuenca]

I hope Persico doesn't kill herself here.

 

[Ilmaestro99]

Brand looks too strong for vos

 

[F_Cance]

wheelsuck Vos is back (and never left). Only planning to take the lead for the last 100m i guess