Cav injured, not likely to ride. G knackered - classics and two GTs (including ridiculously hard Vuelta) - needs a break and will not ride. Commenters who have any experience of racing (or being involved in any way) at this level would confirm that breaks are essential. The parcours does not suit Cav, it will be one for the puncheurs with a difficult rising finish. Possibly suited to a Swift if he can be delivered correctly. I don't hold out much hope for a GB result this time. EBH looks good, is in form, and the ToB is seen as far better preparation for the worlds. If he can hold his form he will be well in the mix in the final. Kristoff maybe, but in the end the whole thing is a lottery, with far more than just national tactics in play. Who rides with who - and who doesn't - is always interesting. next season's team line ups can be a clue. Then we have the usual suspects where 9 riders have 3 people who think they should be the leader (cue Italia!). When Cav won it was because GB were solidly behind him, with the women it looked very different, a team plus one individual who rode individually (while protesting they didn't, but visual evidence contradicted that) and was little or no help in delivering Lizzie in the right place for a win. That should be different this time.
What happens in the U-23 might be a pointer to the future as well.
