Pro-cycling thread

Don't think there's a GB rider capable of winning. Adam Blythe might have three best chance.

Would add Trentin to that list of potential winners.

Blythe has won two races in 4 years and only when Sky didn't show up and only in the UK.
Mr DNF

Erm. Nat champs.

Erm. Team Sky Nat Champ team = Andy Fenn and Alex Peters and nobody else at all in 2016.

I meant he's the best of a bunch which is mostly unsuited to a course with that profile.

But maybe Swift actually.

Mostly likely a repeat of the worlds in Italy a few year ago where no British rider made it past halfway.

He beat cav in the sprint.

They went it without any real plan that day. Which makes no sense. It'd be much better if they had a race plan and rode to it, i.e. our best chance of a result today is if we make it a hard race, get riders in breaks, keep Swift safe and if it all comes back together ride for him in the sprint.

You could beat Cav in a sprint these days.

I'd prefer an Aussie winner but expect Sagan to win after being marked to shit then just riding away from a small group that fail to attack him for the last 7.8km.

Shot yourselves in the foot in the women's race. Let's hope the men's team do the same.

I don't know what they're doing over there but then there's been Brexit and Trump so it's pretty clear no one with any power is doing anything sensible these days.

...our best chance of a result today...

Sorry, what am I missing? I thought the worlds only start this Sunday?

You're missing me assuming the persona of the Team GB DS at the team briefing on the morning of the Elite Men's RR. On the 24th.

Fair enough :)

Why is Cummings not in the RR squad? Course looks like it could suit him.

Looking forward to seeing how the local guys get on in the U23 and Junior road races. Wonder how heavily Pidcock will be marked in the Juniors too?

One can only assume that both Cummings and Froome said they'd ride the TT but didn't want to be considered for the road race.

Both the juniors and the u23s have been getting results at world level this season, so I think medal expectations are high. Given Pidcock's finishing ability I don't think it matters if he's heavily marked, as he'll beat you in a sprint anyway.

Phil Gaimon new book soon

Oh shit.

Shame that didn't come out a week ago!

Where from?

I don't think Vaughters is alone in treating riders like that. In fact, I think it's fairly common.

You were saying?

"Chloe Hosking and Rachel Neylan have been added to Australia's Road Worlds team following appeals."

Just pleased that they're riding with a full compliment of riders.

Still an odd decision, which did Cycling Australia nothing but harm.

I can't see any logic behind their decision but the same could be said for a lot of cycling orgs.

Maybe they have budget issues they don't want to admit to? "Cycling Australia has ended its involvement in the Orica-Scott women's team and the Mitchelton-Scott men's under-23 program."
http://www.sbs.com.au/cyclingcentral/article/2017/09/12/cycling-australia-cuts-orica-scott-women-and-under-23-support

"From next year, Cycling Australia will focus on individual athletes, domestic development of road cycling and our role in the Australian cycling team at world championships and Olympics.

"This is an amicable ending to a long and successful partnership and we look forward to working with GreenEdge in the future."

Must be difficult finding sponsors in Aus with the twatty car-centric nature of the place and the distance from the sport's major events. If the USA teams can't find sponsors with their massive population (fat joke) then we don't have much hope.

Steve Cummings has withdrawn from the Worlds, citing a lack of notice that he was in the frame to ride.

Our very own @taogeogheganhart will replace him.

Ongoing spat after he was overlooked last year?