Worlds?No thanks.

[simo1733]

I am suprised at some of the riders turning down the chance to represent their coumtries at the worlds.You would think Wiggo and Hejsdal would want to go as they are still racing and apparently in good form.There aren't many chances to ride for your national team,but it is their decision.I wonder if they will be available for the olympics.

 

[Michele]

You have to remember we're talking of a 250+ km race, it's in Australia (far from many european based riders) and October, when most of the riders are already thinking at the next season.

 

[Dutchsmurf]

It is a race at the other side of the world with some important races left in Europe. Some riders know they have no chance to win the world title, so they take the right decision to skip it. If it was in Europe they might have taken part, but...

 

[craig1985]

Gesink ruled himself out, but then as he quite rightly said, the course doesn't suit him, so he felt he wouldn't offer anything to the team.

 

[The Hitch]

Gesink ruled himself out, but then as he quite rightly said, the course doesn't suit him, so he felt he wouldn't offer anything to the team.

I thought Montreal was similar to the Geelong course. He sure showed yesterday he can do these kinds of races as well.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

I seriously doubt Gesink could have done something in the worlds but we'll see.

He has enough chances to win them (starting with Valkenburg in 2012 for instance), so for now let's just let him win Lombardia

 

[simo1733]

I thought Montreal was similar to the Geelong course. He sure showed yesterday he can do these kinds of races as well.

As did Hesjdal, and the Canadians don't have any reserves that will do half as well.I guess the worlds just aren't as important as I thought.Maybe it's a sign of the times.
I don't see riders like Nico Roche looking for excuses not to go, and neither did his Father when he one in 89 as the current Tdf Champion.It's a shame that we don't get to see all the top riders in the worlds any more.The UCI needs to change the calendar.

 

[markrosen]

The UCI needs to change the calendar.

1+ I agree completely

 

[Anonymous]

I am suprised at some of the riders turning down the chance to represent their coumtries at the worlds.You would think Wiggo and Hejsdal would want to go as they are still racing and apparently in good form.There aren't many chances to ride for your national team,but it is their decision.I wonder if they will be available for the olympics.

I dont think wiggo had an option. GB have three riders in the world, Cav and two others. Wiggins was never going to be in the road race.

 

[simo1733]

I dont think wiggo had an option. GB have three riders in the world, Cav and two others. Wiggins was never going to be in the road race.

No Sky riders at all

 

[maltiv]

I seriously doubt Gesink could have done something in the worlds but we'll see.

He has enough chances to win them (starting with Valkenburg in 2012 for instance), so for now let's just let him win Lombardia

He would be an almost guaranteed top 15 though, and could win it with some luck, so I don't see why he wouldn't race.

 

[Anonymous]

No Sky riders at all

Geraint was one of the three selected but withdrew as he felt his form after the tour was not good enough.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

He would be an almost guaranteed top 15 though, and could win it with some luck, so I don't see why he wouldn't race.

he doesn't wanna harm his lomardia chances.

 

[simo1733]

Geraint was one of the three selected but withdrew as he felt his form after the tour was not good enough.

At least Sky will be providing some riders to the foreign teams.You would think that wiggo could step up and do the TT now that Millar has to do the road race. I think in a lot of sports, you would only get one chance to turn down the national team.

 

[BroDeal]

I am suprised at some of the riders turning down the chance to represent their coumtries at the worlds.You would think Wiggo and Hejsdal would want to go as they are still racing and apparently in good form.There aren't many chances to ride for your national team,but it is their decision.I wonder if they will be available for the olympics.

The Worlds is on the ass end of season. Who wants to race from January to October? Put the Worlds after or just before the TdF and we would get a quality field.

 

[Vonn Brinkman]

I don't see riders like Nico Roche looking for excuses not to go, and neither did his Father when he one in 89 as the current Tdf Champion.It's a shame that we don't get to see all the top riders in the worlds any more.The UCI needs to change the calendar.

It was actually 1987 when Roche took the Triple Crown.
But true, the UCI desperately needs to change the calendar.

 

[Fowsto Cope-E]

he doesn't wanna harm his lomardia chances.

I dont understand why someone would put Lombardia over worlds. I mean, it's the World Championships we're talking about!

 

[Anonymous]

I dont understand why someone would put Lombardia over worlds. I mean, it's the World Championships we're talking about!

well as far as the TT goes there is little point turning up unless your name begins with F and ends with cancellara, and sadly Floella Cancellara failed to set a suitable qualifying time in the indonesian games.

 

[Arnout]

The Worlds is on the ass end of season. Who wants to race from January to October? Put the Worlds after or just before the TdF and we would get a quality field.

Are you serious?

 

[brianf7]

I am suprised at some of the riders turning down the chance to represent their coumtries at the worlds.You would think Wiggo and Hejsdal would want to go as they are still racing and apparently in good form.There aren't many chances to ride for your national team,but it is their decision.I wonder if they will be available for the olympics.

There are a lot of riders who just dont want the 24 hour plane trip then race and back home again to more racing.

Jet lag and other problems like cramps after being cooked up in a plane all that time.

 

[craig1985]

They'll be flying business class, so it isn't that bad.

 

[The Hitch]

We had a similar thread not long ago about people not taking the Vuelta seriously, and using it to prepare for worlds. Now its the reverse. Me i always see the World Championships as the 4 grand slam.

Giro
Tour
Vuelta
Worlds.

Its very important.

But this thing of ours is a very tiring sport. For many people there is no point racing it, and flying down under at that. They have other priorities.

Just because some really good riders dont race the TDF doesnt mean they dont take it seriously. They just have other goals.

 

[simo1733]

well as far as the TT goes there is little point turning up unless your name begins with F and ends with cancellara, and sadly Floella Cancellara failed to set a suitable qualifying time in the indonesian games.

Its a good job all the riders don't feel like you,otherwise Sparticus would be there all on his own.WTF is Floella Cancellara!

 

[Teddy Boom]

Voeckler is out too..

Is it because there are no UCI points associated with placings? Does high UCI ranking matter at all to these guys? I assume it matters a lot to the teams, so maybe there is pressure to not compete?

 

[Anonymous]

Its a good job all the riders don't feel like you,otherwise Sparticus would be there all on his own.WTF is Floella Cancellara!

its a joke, a play on the fact that i said there was no point turning up unless your name begins with F and ends with CANCELLARA. And not wanting to be a spelling geek but its Spartacus. Clearly my humour is either not funny, or just too subtle. I fear the former.