It's gonna be a close call and could be down to conditions on the day and how many of Nys' fans are prepared to sabotage his opponents and whether the Belgians are prepared to ride as a team - which frankly is unlikely. It would be nice in some ways if Stybar gets a shot, but he'll be heavily marked so suspect it will still go to a Belgian - expect that 7 out of the top-10 will be Belgians too.
Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
A frozen course is likely to suit Stybar, given that's what he was raised riding, but as MD says, he'll be heavily marked. If he can overcome that, and the pressure of being the home favourite then he should be in with a very good chance.
The Belgians have strength in depth so if they can avoid infighting, and that's a big if, then I'd expect Nys or Alberts to figure in the results. But, as has been shown to be the case in recent seasons, quite often a lesser name can win the race by getting a gap early and then benefitting from the chase being slowed by team mates behind.
I reckon Albert is the main favourite, together with Stybar. Don't underestimate the Czech strength in depth, at home, with Simunek, Dlask and Ausbuher.
Pauwels is going very well too now, and could well profit from Albert and Stybar looking too much at each other, although Pauwels is definitely beyond just being an outsider.
Nys, not sure. What was that last weekend in Hoogerheide, Nys being knackered and too old to follow the youngsters getting into top shape, or being smart and taking it easy halfway just before the Worlds?
But, as has been shown to be the case in recent seasons, quite often a lesser name can win the race by getting a gap early and then benefitting from the chase being slowed by team mates behind.
OK, many years with Nys not winning despite being top favourite, but I can't think of any lesser names winning the Worlds the last 10 years or so.
I'd say that Boom and Alberts were surprise winners at the last two Worlds. Both were good strong riders but neither was classified as a favourite beforehand. Last year Alberts definitely benefitted from making an early break and then having the Belgian team close down the race behind him.
Yes, very often the top favourite beforehand hasn't won, like Boom last year and Nys the year before (and a whole range of years before that), but it has always been one of the other favourites winning, never a 'lesser rider'. Albert in 2009 and Boom in 2008 were not the very top favourite, but they were among the 5 or so riders with a serious chance for the championship.
Stybar rode pretty well a perfect race - pressed hard mid-race and left the others to sort out the placings - I think Vantornout, Nys and Bina racing against each other might have been to Stybar's advantage. The course looked fast, but grip appeared marginal in places- a few times there were some slides on the 180 turn and all riders appeared to tumble or slip at one stage.
Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
Think Vos rode a pretty good race too. Interesting that Annie Last was the first British finisher, could make next weekend's nationals a bit interesting.
Posts
http://weightweenies.starbike.com/forum ... =4&t=67973
This coming weekend, not sure of the times, men's race will be on Sunday afternoon...
The Belgians have strength in depth so if they can avoid infighting, and that's a big if, then I'd expect Nys or Alberts to figure in the results. But, as has been shown to be the case in recent seasons, quite often a lesser name can win the race by getting a gap early and then benefitting from the chase being slowed by team mates behind.
Pauwels is going very well too now, and could well profit from Albert and Stybar looking too much at each other, although Pauwels is definitely beyond just being an outsider.
Nys, not sure. What was that last weekend in Hoogerheide, Nys being knackered and too old to follow the youngsters getting into top shape, or being smart and taking it easy halfway just before the Worlds?
OK, many years with Nys not winning despite being top favourite, but I can't think of any lesser names winning the Worlds the last 10 years or so.
http://www.rai.it/dl/portale/GuidaProgrammi.html
A wheel in it. Oh for another 5 metres.....
Yes, much snow and ice. Tomorrow should be spectacular.
http://new.britishcycling.org.uk/sport/article/cyc20100125-UCI-Cyclocross-World-Championships-0
Sporzas is working for the Ladies CERA Challenge.
http://bvls-feed.blogspot.com/2009/11/ch-3.html
http://voetbal-kijken.blogspot.com/
http://bvls-feed.blogspot.com/2009/11/ch-3.html
Haven't tried them out cos my internet planned is capped cos i went oveer the download limit, but i found them on another site.
No. Never have.
Never? What about the cortisone?
Well, obviously there was the cortisone
Hold on, that's a double interesting