2018 World Championships thread (spoilers)

bikinchris · #1 09-28-2018, 12:23 PM

I don't know why we don't already have a thread for the worlds in Austria. The racing so far has been great. Two days left as of this posting.
So who do you think will win the men's road race?

MattTuck · #2 09-28-2018, 12:28 PM

Most up to date startlist that I'm aware of: https://www.procyclingstats.com/race...2018/startlist

I have a funny feeling about Mollema, but I'm cheering for Dan Martin.

Clean39T · #3 09-28-2018, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattTuck

Most up to date startlist that I'm aware of: https://www.procyclingstats.com/race...2018/startlist

I have a funny feeling about Mollema, but I'm cheering for Dan Martin.

ABV - anyone but Valverde...

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

Plum Hill · #4 09-28-2018, 01:00 PM

No opinion, but I recently found out I had the Olympic channel on my cable package. Race coverage so far has been fantastic, with live coverage and repeats in the evening.

GregL · #5 09-28-2018, 01:24 PM

If today's U23 race is an indication, Sunday's elite men's race is going to be brutal. Nearly 50% of the U23 field were DNFs. Looking forward to watching the race Sunday morning.

Greg

Andy sti · #6 09-28-2018, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GregL

If today's U23 race is an indication, Sunday's elite men's race is going to be brutal. Nearly 50% of the U23 field were DNFs. Looking forward to watching the race Sunday morning.

Greg

That's fairly typical of any circuit race. If you're not in the front there is no point in continuing. For sure we'll see that in the elite race. After you're job is over pull out at the team tent. Especially in a 250km race and those crazy hills!

FlashUNC · #7 09-28-2018, 03:23 PM

One of the Yateses maybe?

MattTuck · #8 09-28-2018, 03:27 PM

betting odds if anyone is interested.

ultraman6970 · #9 09-28-2018, 05:51 PM

IMO is valverde's race. TD is not as fast this year, but the sucker well could go solo the last lap w/o any problem, he's climbing more, wonder if he could actually win this thing. Sagan? You never know, havent seen pictures of him lately but there is a reason he finished the vuelta, get climbing form...

BTW, why f... froomey is not there?? this one was ok for him... GB's team looks weak.

osbk67 · #10 09-29-2018, 03:07 AM

I think this course is two or three years too late for Valverde, making Alaphillipe one of the clearest favourites in years. Picking him is too easy, so I'm going with Kwiatkowski, Poels and Benoot. Whoever wins I'd like to see the race made so selective that no more than 12-15 arrive together at the foot of the final climb. That would seem to be in the interests of at least the Colombian and GB teams, and perhaps the French and Belgians too depending on how GVA and Alaphillipe are travelling on the day.

GVA to ride well but not into the top placings.

Froome for all his strength, skill and determination has had a long and deep season and is due a spell. I'm also not sure he's previously finished a World Pro Road Race Championship.

saab2000 · #11 09-29-2018, 03:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by osbk67

GVA to ride well but not into the top placings.

Froome for all his strength, skill and determination has had a long and deep season and is due a spell. I'm also not sure he's previously finished a World Pro Road Race Championship.

Froome would be a very interesting dark horse. I haven't closely followed the teams racing but I would pick Kwiatkowski for the win personally, with Alaphillipe in with a strong, strong chance. I'd like to see Nibali with a chance too. All these three have strong chances.

I think the idea that the final hard climb will be reached by just 10-15 riders is accurate and anyone at the front at the top of this climb is in with a chance for the win.

oldpotatoe · #12 09-29-2018, 07:19 AM

Nib's article, 'like a blind date'..

I like Nibs and Valverde..

https://www.velonews.com/2018/09/new...nd-date_479479

ultraman6970 · #13 09-29-2018, 08:19 AM

Can you imagine that woods wins this thing??? No team race links now... fast enough, climbs enough, tough enough.

echappist · #14 09-29-2018, 08:28 AM

The Dutch just sent a cat amongst the pigeons. 1-minute worth of lead just gone for the front group.

Rivera doing quite well, given she's a sprinter, but Anna VdB is on a charge today, trying to capture the only medal she hasn't won to date.

I think she'll solo it home, though Spratt is spritely

echappist · #15 09-29-2018, 08:31 AM

and boom goes the dynamite; Anna VdB wins, unless something horrific happens