Reaching down in the drops for the last drop of the V
Three riders stand out in this photo: Sagan, Van Avarcan’t*, and Deggencobble in the drops, crushing it up the stupid-steep cobbled final climb at the 2015 Worlds in Richmond, Virginia. I’ve never thought much of Virginia, if at all, and I certainly never thought of Virginia’s many cobbled climbs. Goes to show that not everything below the Mason-Dixon Line is rubbish.
The photo says it all: only 66% of the riders climbing in the drops lost the World Championships, while 100% of the riders climbing on the hoods lost them. The science is conclusive: something about climbing in the drops gives you extra Awesome Speed.
From a traditional standpoint, I can’t say the US is the best place to host World Cycling Events. That said, the old Coors Classic was badass as shit, and both the CX and Road World Championships hosted here were easily the best in recent times in both disciplines. Merca: crushing it. So long as we don’t include “winning” within the concept of “crushing it”. But as far as hosting a great race? Nailed it.
Even less traditional is the Qatar Worlds location. As Gianni said, flat and cross winds. Very Dutchish or Flemishish, on the surface of it. Have you ever been in a sauna and had someone blow on you because they are an asshole? If you have, you will realize that in that sort of heat, adding wind makes the wet parts of your skin burn, not cool. In other words, cross winds in the desert is like racing in Belgium while Beelzebub chases you about with a flamethrower.
At least doffing leg warmers and extra jerseys won’t slow anyone down.
Get your picks in by the time the countdown clock goes to nil, and good luck. Oh, and study the start list, as if it helps. Remember: a Don Walker frame is on offer for the winner of the VSP! A custom steel frame!
*Except he Van Avercould at the Olympics. Quite the time to pull out the “No More Second Places” card.
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We've been training in heat and winds like this all summer in Phoenix. It sucks. Like Qatar but with actual cycling fans.
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@John Irvine
Hey, no fair! When did facts start mattering?
...Also, yes he won more this year but still you have to agree on balance in his career he's been better at getting second than first.
My dark horse pick would be for Tony Martin to take it from 20km out. The man by himself was only 2-3kph slower than a full team (which included him).
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As a Yankee born to Brooklyn born Yankees, I never, ever thought I'd live anywhere but the northeastern U.S. As an 'Murican ball sports player who didn't do much bike riding after turning 12, I never thought I'd be an avid participant in a sport without a ball (or puck).
And so I sit here now owning a home and living in central North Carolina. A year removed from traveling north to get to the World Championships, and a few years removed from traveling northwest to get to the World Cyclocross Championships. And I'm a Follower and ride a bicycle seven days a week.
I'm (happily) living in a very different situation than I ever imagined for myself. But, that's okay, life definitely isn't predictable.
Last year was awesome! That cobbled climb pictured (was it Franklin Street?) was pretty bonkers. I don't see this year being as exciting and I'm not sure I'm going to tune in for the whole race.
Sagan for the double!
@TheVid I'd like to see Martin do something like that, so I'll toss him in the mix.
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@BacklashJack
Yeah, it's always rough to train here in the summer. Then to rub (dried sweat) salt into the wounds, the guys and gals living just to the north shell me out the back this time of year because they've had a whole summer of beautiful weather and altitude training.
Since I am far off the podium this year, I will pick who I want to see win, not who's necessarily likely. Sagan for the repeat.
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