World Cycling Championship Florence 22 - 29 September 2013

[The Couch]

An interesting comment from Gilbert made me want to start this thread:

In a cycling magazine, Gilbert has made the comment "I do not work for someone else".
Quite a statement for someone who hasn't won a race yet this year and hasn't even got many podiumfinishes - in the races that suit him -. Whatever the leader of the team would be for Belgium, they ain't gonna be among the favourites this year, but still... as coach of the national team or as teammate I wouldn't like to hear statements like that.

 

[rich p]

Reading between the lines of his comments pre-TDF, I get the impression that Phil isn't entirely happy at BMC and is ticked off at having to play second fiddle to someone in what he probably assumed would be his year of glory in the rainbow stripes. Maybe he feels his status as world champ means the team should be working for him alone. Who else in the Belgian team would the parcours suit better?

 

[The Couch]

... Who else in the Belgian team would the parcours suit better?

Well.. as said before this year Belgium can't really put any favourite "on the table"... but they have people who should perhaps be entitled co-leadership (or at least "free role") like Van Avermaet, Meersman and Bakelandts. Without his fall, you could have perhaps put De Clercq with those names as well ... and nobody can predict what form/interest De Gendt would have on the day.

 

[oldroadman]

Hard circuit and anything can happen, it's wide open. Even Froome may be in with a shout - it's that difficult when repeated over multiple laps. Can't see a sprinter getting to the finish near the front, Gilbert may have something as a puncheur may be the best type of rider for this course. Except he is going like a dog at the moment, but ridig better each day in Spain, which is how things worked out last time.

 

[raindog]

Has anyone seen a profile for the TT course?

 

[thom]

Has anyone seen a profile for the TT course?

flat as a pancake

 

[raindog]

cheers thom - if that lump was a bit further towards the left, I would've taken it for the start ramp

 

[thom]

 

[oldroadman]

ITT course looks made for Spartacus, Martin, Wiggins. Though in which order is the question. Spartacus looked brutal today in Spain, Tony Martin very close, Wiggo is presumably away working with the coaches. The short ITT in the Tour of Britian might give a pointer to where his form is at with just a week to go.

 

[rich p]

The men's road race looks interesting - it will be a case of conserving enough energy for all of the 10 climbs of the Fiesole. Strangely they omly give a profile of the previous once-only climbs AFAICS
http://www.toscana2013.it/gara-in-linea29092013/#uomini-elite

 

[thom]

The men's road race looks interesting - it will be a case of conserving enough energy for all of the 10 climbs of the Fiesole. Strangely they omly give a profile of the previous once-only climbs AFAICS
http://www.toscana2013.it/gara-in-linea29092013/#uomini-elite

is this it ? http://www.toscana2013.it/circuito-iridato/
I think they just put the loop as a separate reused section on their site

 

[rich p]

is this it ? http://www.toscana2013.it/circuito-iridato/
I think they just put the loop as a separate reused section on their site

Indeed it is Thom! Good work!
4.3km, max 9%, average 5.2% (x 10)

 

[The Couch]

Indeed it is Thom! Good work!
4.3km, max 9%, average 5.2% (x 10)

So also flat as a pancake?

(compared with the Vuelta)

 

[rich p]

So also flat as a pancake?

(compared with the Vuelta)

I guess if you make your pancakes on a griddle!
The Vuelta is hors crépe!

 

[RedRider]

Just back from Lucca where the 'road' round the top of the city wall's being resurfaced in prep for the road race roll-out. Should look spectacular.