Eugene Oppelt

Yet again, womens' racing shows its ever increasing thrill. The course was perfectly suited to the punchy Belgian. The course - something like 45 corners per lap. You either like it or not. To market and advertise the Glasgow architecture, it was quite a cool idea. Not the World Champs course for every 5 years. Excellent showing by Ashleigh, who burnt too many matches in the breakaway effort. And the kermesse style of the course would not suit her regardless, hence, I imagine, her tactic to escape with a few others. Volllering is the new goddess of women's cycling, no doubt, after the reign of Queen Annemiek. It seems that she was working for her compatriot at some point? Quite a cool Worlds. Lotto becomes the first Belgian woman in 50 years to win the rainbow jersey.

WOMEN ELITE Very aggressive racing from the start. A very powerful break, including Ashleigh. The favourites are Lotto and Demi, sitting tucked in behind teammates in the peloton. Many lesser riders spat out the back on a very hilly segment of the course. Scatterlings. Beautiful Scotland. Pic: @UCI_cycling

Some rain, some clouds, eventual sun, deep coffee and lekka Italian pastries to wash it all down.

What a start by AH. Such a classy rider and ambassador for team and country. Racing a hemisphere away from home makes his achievements very impressive. Running out of steam, not lekka sleep before the race, maybe some glucose needed for the final 20 mins? Happened before as well. Respect for leaving it all out there. Two Pinarellos, two gold medals. Incredible. Gaze, what a ride by the XCC rainbow jersey. And that Swiss legend, the consistency just extraordinary. Dutch phenomenon Puck - geez, she can ride. Looks like a school girl who is in Std 9. I laaik this Super Worlds concept. Must catch up with the other disciplines.

Remarkable to think that he is the first Belgian to wear a world champs jersey in the TT, hey. And the youngest. And only other have worn the rainbow jersey in both road and time trial or something like that. Rumours of Ineos’ next year… hmmm

Well edited, encapsulating the high highs and low lows of professional sport. I wasn’t aware of his major depressive episode, binge drinking and existential crisis while at Qhubeka. That disclosure took the doccie from average to above average for me. To be that vulnerable and open requires tremendous courage, especially for the pitbull mentality of a legendary marquees sprinter in a world where machismo is preferred. 8/10

The youngest ITT Men's Elite World Champ ever, Remco is. From the one rainbow jersey to the next. That final climb was a Bliksem, hey. What a ride by the top 3. Josh Tarling was born in February 2004 19 and a bit years of age podiums. On a 3 year contract with Ineos, likely to be retained. The ever continuing trend for young men just out of their teenage years knocking over the trends in the sport. Really intriguing.

There’ll be many long teleconferences with parents in due course, followed by long term contracts… my word

Out-of-office auto reply 😶

Often a poor starter, likely due to being quite a pocket rocket with smaller quad mossels, that Tom Pidcock can ride, hey. Saw a clip with him alongside Peter Sagan cruising the XC course and he looked like a 12 year old school boy compared to his dad who is a cross-fitz regular. Mathieu is playing the underdog, I imagine, and saying he has no chance of winning. He just hopes to qualify for the Olympics. Probably some truth in there after what has been a remarkable season that only a few like Merckx or Boonen have achieved. His mental resolve, remarkable. Alpecin' earns another rainbow jersey (yes, it's national jerseys) and it reflects well on what is happening with performance culture in that trade team environment.

Beautiful winter mornings approaching spring 💚

Dear City Planner - More community spaces, less parking spaces. Please tog. 💋

Respect. And she’s such a cool human being.

Jasper Stuyven averaged 350 watts for the last 4 hours with a normalised power of about 420ish, assuming he weighs about 77 kgs. That'll warm me up! He was the only top 10 racer who shared his Stravus stats. Beautiful racing.

Mother Mountain 💟

I just can’t imagine the mental toil and muscular pain sensations after 260 kms. Geez, these ouens can race. Bettiol for bravery. Pederson the strongest on the day. This one’s for the Dutch megastar to win after his crafty attack. The last time the rainbow jersey was on the shoulders of a Dutch rider was 1985 - actually hard to believe that stat. Who’ll be the one that won’t make the podium?

Afternoon rains, 48 kms to go, variable surfaces, a flying Bettiol at 25 seconds ahead of a chasing peloton, a kermesse style course, and shiny roads that will favour escapees. Phew! Intense.

And we are live! Who’s that Souf Effrikan escapee? UCI media

Remco only have about 10 months in his rainbow jersey. Yoh. This course is very reminiscent of the Richmond course where Peter Sagan broke away spectacularly to win his first Champs. Very "attritional" course. For the Men Elites, 275 kms of this will be excruciating. Race craft of note required. Will the weather play a part tomorrow? A wet course would suit many roleurs or puncheurs like Mads and some of team GB like Luke Rowe. The Junior race for women was soaked in the final 30 mins. The Junior Race for dudes, I am watching. Very dynamic and tense, winding up to the finalé. A very meaningful race as a solid performance will possibly unlock a spot in the development team of a World Tour or Pro Continental team. It is very much a job interview.

Chirps, coffees, camaraderie and cramps.

Winterwonderland

New tyre day for Simone

KraaiFontein, southeastern corner

The end of an era. The legend that is Annemiek van Vleuten. What a season for Vollering. Dominated Spring with the unrivalled strength of her team, working with a psychologist on her mental side and outgunning her challengers. Annemiek and Demi will be teammates at the upcoming World Champs in Glasgow. Kopecky stuns with her 2nd place on the podium. Kasia’s 3rd place cements what has been a fantastic week for Canyon- SRAM. Ashleigh comes in at #6. She would’ve aimed for a podium slot. She’s in her late 30s now and there’s the promise of another season after renewing with the WolfPack.

Dorstberg