Worlds

[ThisFrenchGuy]

Haussler has stated a few times before that he had been informed they want to select him, but he still doesn't care, he wants to ride for Australia, and won't consider Germany.

It's a pre-selection and I suppose he has every right to refuse it. Makes sense.

 

[Four Winds]

Here's one for an outsider/each way bet- Wiggins. Only problem is he'll not have the back up of a Spanish or Italian rider. Might suit Contador too if he can keep his form.

When is the next flat course. Did I hear that the Melbourne circuit for 2010 was initially flat but they added a hilly bit in?

 

[BeachBum]

I guess I just don't like the system. We should crown the world champion based on points accumulated during the year.

I dunno, I like the current system. Call me an old school traditionalist. A one day race, everything is on the table. Here are some points I have in favor of the current method, feel free to offer counter arguments.

If you go to a season-long points system, how do you balance out stage races and one days? How do you do a season long TT system for WC? TTs are only in stage races and nobody does too many of those. Seems like you could game the system (for road and or TT), win the Tour and a tuneup race and be crowned champion. The winners of the GTs already have jerserys, let the WC jersey go to a new person.

How much suspense is there? You don't want some guy winning a ton of races early, building up an insurmountable lead and then what? Where's the fun in that?

What about using the WC as a way to salvage your season? Some guys crash early, or have bad results, and they decide to refocus and aim for the rainbow stripes.

Finally, and most important for me, it would change the WC from a nation-centric to a trade team event. If you switch to a year long event, no reason to help somebody from your nation in a race, you'd only help guys from your team. I kinda like how one race a year the trade team tactics take a back seat to the national tactics. Look at all the interesting discussions we're having about whether this rider or that will be picked for his team, do we want to toss all that?

I'm not saying that one way is better than the other, just trying to lay out some reasons I prefer the current system. Supporting and/or countervailing discussion welcome.

 

[TRDean]

I dunno, I like the current system. Call me an old school traditionalist. A one day race, everything is on the table. Here are some points I have in favor of the current method, feel free to offer counter arguments.

If you go to a season-long points system, how do you balance out stage races and one days? How do you do a season long TT system for WC? TTs are only in stage races and nobody does too many of those. Seems like you could game the system (for road and or TT), win the Tour and a tuneup race and be crowned champion. The winners of the GTs already have jerserys, let the WC jersey go to a new person.

How much suspense is there? You don't want some guy winning a ton of races early, building up an insurmountable lead and then what? Where's the fun in that?

What about using the WC as a way to salvage your season? Some guys crash early, or have bad results, and they decide to refocus and aim for the rainbow stripes.

Finally, and most important for me, it would change the WC from a nation-centric to a trade team event. If you switch to a year long event, no reason to help somebody from your nation in a race, you'd only help guys from your team. I kinda like how one race a year the trade team tactics take a back seat to the national tactics. Look at all the interesting discussions we're having about whether this rider or that will be picked for his team, do we want to toss all that?

I'm not saying that one way is better than the other, just trying to lay out some reasons I prefer the current system. Supporting and/or countervailing discussion welcome.

Yea...I love the national teams. You can really tell which nations go all out for the rainbow jersey. The peleton looks different too!!!

 

[badboyberty]

I think the rule is that you cannot have ridden for your former national team for a year but I'm not positive on that.

If he is riding for Germany this year then he has obviously put off plans to ride for the aussies, at least for a while.

As far as I'm aware, to change the nation you get to represent you are not allowed to have raced under a different flag for three years. Hence why Haussler didn't appear at the 2008 worlds or the Olypmics or road Worlds. Last year when asked by Cyclingnews if he would represent Germany if selected in '08 "I wouldn't take it. If you start for a country at the worlds there is a three year ban before you can ride for another."

 

[SarahDane]

Here's one for an outsider/each way bet- Wiggins. Only problem is he'll not have the back up of a Spanish or Italian rider. Might suit Contador too if he can keep his form.

When is the next flat course. Did I hear that the Melbourne circuit for 2010 was initially flat but they added a hilly bit in?

Well, it's gonna be in Denmark in 2011 (yay! ) and I can tell you one thing, there are no mountains! so at least it will be somewhat flat.

 

[SarahDane]

http://www.copenhagen2011.dk/

You can read about the route here.

The hill they are promoting, "Geels Bakke" doesn't look too bad, does it?

 

[Henrik]

Considering the topographics of Denmark I'll place my money on Cavendish as World Champion 2011

 

[SarahDane]

Or Matti Breschel, or Alex Rasmussen, or , or, or....

 

[Anonymous]

Here's one for an outsider/each way bet- Wiggins. Only problem is he'll not have the back up of a Spanish or Italian rider. Might suit Contador too if he can keep his form.

When is the next flat course. Did I hear that the Melbourne circuit for 2010 was initially flat but they added a hilly bit in?

Ive got a feelling brad may be looking forward to this one, depends who is on the british team with him , but with dave miller, charlie and someone like roger hammond he could have the support he needs...

how is the selection controlled, pro tour teams, do riders have to be on the UCI ranking etc (ive never really investigated, always just saw the worlds as the worlds without looking at the rules).. I wonder as surely Christian House as reigning british RR champ deserves a pop

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

Here's one for an outsider/each way bet- Wiggins. Only problem is he'll not have the back up of a Spanish or Italian rider. Might suit Contador too if he can keep his form.

When is the next flat course. Did I hear that the Melbourne circuit for 2010 was initially flat but they added a hilly bit in?

lol ?

I understand Wiggins doing well at the tour, he rode consistant and time trialed well.

But does that performance make him some superman? He doesn't have the fire power to win a race like the WC imo.

 

[Anonymous]

lol ?

I understand Wiggins doing well at the tour, he rode consistant and time trialed well.

But does that performance make him some superman? He doesn't have the fire power to win a race like the WC imo.

I think it will come down to which country puts together a team that will work together.. one thing that makes me think a brit has a chance is how they are willing to work for the benefit of one.. look at the womens team where the entire team rode to try and get nicole cook the win.. if the likes of Dave Millar, Charlie, Christian House, Hammond are in the team working together we have a chance.. To be honest, i think we could do worse than put the likes of Rob Hayles, Ed Clancy etc in there get Cav over the hills and use the GB pursuit team to lead him out, hes proven he can handle an uphill course..

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

to me cav is a lot more realistic then wiggins. Riding a great tour, doesn't make you a one day man aswell... I wonder if anyone would have thought he could compete in the WC before the tour?
I'm just saying, I don't think he will be able to compete with the real classic riders., no way... Just my opinion though.
And in terms of teams working together, well even if GBR work together it means littler if power houses spain nd italy work as a team... actually tehre are a quite a few nations who can pull put a stronger 9 the GBR (Italy last year anyone?)

 

[Anonymous]

but which countries will be prepared to work together and not for themselves

GB
ITALY

any others... i cant see the spaniards getting it together.. too many egos

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

most i'd say (australia, netherlands etc) maybe not spain, but they wont bury themselves astana style (not taht astana buried themselves, but you know what i mean) i'd sooner bet a spaniard winning then a gbr rider (or anyone nation outside italy)

 

[Anonymous]

most i'd say (australia, netherlands etc) maybe not spain, but they wont bury themselves astana style (not taht astana buried themselves, but you know what i mean) i'd sooner bet a spaniard winning then a gbr rider (or anyone nation outside italy)

are the aussies going to be able to put together a team

(oh no.. not another aussie thread) lol

 

[53 x 11]

Kazakhstan!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Anonymous]

Kazakhstan!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Vino as world champion.. the moral me hates the idea, but my heart &^%$£%^ LOVES THE IDEA

 

[53 x 11]

Vino as world champion.. the moral me hates the idea, but my heart &^%$£%^ LOVES THE IDEA

Morality is for weak Westerner. You have to crush morality like good Soviet dictator would.

 

[James Jordan]

The Australian Team Looks Strong and Simon Gerrans Will Win....

Gerro or David. Both are good sprinters who have the ability to climb a reasonable grade

 

[James Jordan]

So I suppose UCI allows you to ride for two different countries? (As Haussler told he would like to race under Australian colors soon).

he may be preselected but I doubt he will accept. If you ride for one country then you are not able to ride for another, regardless of licence, for 2 years. HH stated that he hoped to get on the Australian team for the Worlds in 2010

 

[Sneekes]

.. if the likes of Dave Millar, Charlie, Christian House, Hammond are in the team working together we have a chance.. To be honest, i think we could do worse than put the likes of Rob Hayles, Ed Clancy etc in there get Cav over the hills and use the GB pursuit team to lead him out, hes proven he can handle an uphill course..

I don't think Cav gets over those hills in a position to sprint for the win, means GBR have a critical decision prior to the selection and the race - do they put their eggs in the Cav basket, or support a one-day specialist?

I'd leave Cav out (and tell him that Melbourne and Denmark are all about him) and go for Millar and Froome, supported by Wiggins, Cummings, Hammond, Hayles, and 3 others, maybe give Kennaugh the experience.
(I'm assuming Wegelius is still in the dog-house)

 

[Anonymous]

I don't think Cav gets over those hills in a position to sprint for the win, means GBR have a critical decision prior to the selection and the race - do they put their eggs in the Cav basket, or support a one-day specialist?

I'd leave Cav out (and tell him that Melbourne and Denmark are all about him) and go for Millar and Froome, supported by Wiggins, Cummings, Hammond, Hayles, and 3 others, maybe give Kennaugh the experience.
(I'm assuming Wegelius is still in the dog-house)

im assuming that as wegalius seems to be going to sky that hes back out of the doghouse..

I do think Kristian house deserves his chance, hes british champ and fended off all the pro's in the process..

 

[SarahDane]

Worlds 2009

Where can you find a list of which countries can take how many riders? And maybe even which riders are already pre-selected?

 

[180mmCrank]

Hi Sarah

There is another thread that give you all the info you need

http://forum.cyclingnews.com/showthread.php?t=2447

Cheers