2014 UCI Road World Championships Ponferrada

[tombeej]

Louis came in with the front bunch, somewhere in the back half of it. Maybe top 30.

[milky4130]

Ai Ai Ai ai ai

Well done nonetheless.

And thanks for the updates.

[tombeej]

The Norwegian lad was seriously impressive. That was a very explosive attack up the climb and some slick and expert descending. The bunch couldn't close the gap at all in the last couple of kays. Look out for him in the future - has the build of a very good classics rider. Tall and powerful. 

 

Louis confirmed in 28th place.

[tombeej]

His name: Sven Erik BYSTRÖM.

 

A new star for Katusha.

['Dale]

Louis risked

Too soon though

 

Pace was hot yoh

[tombeej]

In fact another Norwegian on the podium - got 3rd place (not a Belgian).

 

Wow, a great day for Norway.

[tombeej]

A little bit of insight, Bystrom is apparently a training partner and friend of fellow countryman Alexander Kristoff (they come from the same town), and it was Kristoff who got him his place on the Katusha team.

[Orbit]

Racing below "elite" level is so exciting. Guys in the bunch don't quite have their pacing sorted and so the number of haphazard attacks that go is amazing! Aussies stuck to their plan but didm't have enough at the end.

[tombeej]

Racing below "elite" level is so exciting. Guys in the bunch don't quite have their pacing sorted and so the number of haphazard attacks that go is amazing! Aussies stuck to their plan but didm't have enough at the end.

 

That was the first time I've watched an U23 worlds road race live. Wow.

 

The finale was chaotic, exciting, and completely unpredictable. So different to watching a senior pro race.

 

Lots of very talented lighties throwing out these big desperate efforts without any structured plan or team work (except maybe the Aussies, but they tried to control from way too early. Should have come to the front late in the race).

 

 

Watching the lighties race gave me a lot of insight into what a different level the pro teams operate on. Very interesting noting the contrasts.

 

Today has also given me a view on what pro racing might have looked like in the era before race radios and teams being directed from the team car. A lot less predictable. A lot more exciting. But also, it has given me much more respect for legends like Coppi/Anquetil/Merckx who were always able to rise to the top of a much more fluid peloton without having a military-drilled team deliver them to the front all the time.

['Dale]

http://inrng.com/medias/images/ponferradaprofile2014.jpg

 

The two climbs are different, the first is gentle and if it has 8% sections these are over quickly. In general it’s a fast climb where riders get sucked along by the slipstream, it’s effect will be cumulative with the fatigue. The first descent has some fast corners and if a circuit race means riders start to corner on autopilot it’ll be awkward in the wet and when riders are fatigued. The second climb is sharper and should force more of a selection in the finish. The following descent is faster but more awkward because it has slower sections, the kind where a rider can slingshot out of the slipstream to get a gap.

The Finish: flat and wide.

The Scenario: it might not be a savage circuit but the repetition and distance will take their toll. Even the gentle Copenhagen course in 2011 shrunk the field to about 100 riders, this will do more damage. So while some sprinters are tipped below there likely to emerge from a smaller group.

The Worlds tend to follow a predictable format where an an early break will go with a motley collection of chancers hoping to get on TV. Then the speed slowly goes up, each lap faster than the last and this circuit should see the same. With no real crunch point to break the field earlier it’s all about attrition to dump the weaker riders out the back.

As for going clear many teams have an interest in a negative outcome, to lock down the race ahead in order to promote their sprinter or fast man on the last lap. But having enough riders left for the final half hour is a big ask, it’s even bigger to assume they’re all working for the same outcome. The second climb is an obvious place to attack just as we saw with Sven Erik Bystrøm’s win in the U23 race… but the sneaky place could be on the descent where some flatter sections could see the pace ease up only for someone to barge clear.

Remember too the conflicting allegiances with riders wearing their national kit for a day when they’re paid by pro teams and work with others for the rest of the year. It’s always worth watching out for riders secretly following orders for their employer.

 

The Inner Ring

['Dale]

Men's Elite weather forecast

 

Weather: cool with rain forecast. Currently there’s nothing torrential to encourage mass withdrawals like last year but it makes for a harder race that will drain more energy.

[HappyMartin]

Ah well. If a South African can't win I have to cheer on the Norwegian.

[BeegMig]

Ah well. If a South African can't win I have to cheer on the Norwegian.

But how cool would it be if a South African wins one day?

I think we are closer to that day than we all realize.

We have always had great talent.

With the sponsors and management some SA teams have now,

they have the means.

[BeegMig]

Ah well. If a South African can't win I have to cheer on the Norwegian.

We have three guys in the elite race.

How great would it be if one of them could pull off a upset!

['Dale]

Go, Sagaaaan...!!!!

 

 

http://d4nuk0dd6nrma.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Kramon_E3_2013_KRA9638-Version-2.jpg

[tombeej]

Folks, before we jump ahead to the mens road race tomorrow, don't forget we've still got the elite ladies today and there are 3 Saffas we need to support:

 

Ashleigh Moolman Pasio

An-Li Kachelhoffer

Heidi Dalton

 

With Marianne Vos looking a little out of sorts, it's a very open race this year.