Worlds 2010: It ain't a sprinterfest mate!

I think it could break up. The biggest question is, with so much flat space between the hills each lap (10-11km) and the 5km downhill/flat to the finish, how great is a smaller break’s ability to actually consolidate in the final laps? I think that the last 8km are going to be absolutely spectacular as a small group tries to hold off a larger charging pack.

Not sure yet. I think the hills are short enough not to make too many casualties. As always, I guess it depends a lot on the style of racing.

Ivan Quaranta won’t win this.

Other than that I think all of todays top sprinters can make it to the finishing sprint. It’s by no means given though, as tedvdw says it will depend a lot on how the race is run.

    I like the idea of a rider like Fabian or Gilbert giving the peloton everything they can handle for 4 – 5 kms, a national team being able to control the race like a trade team seems unlikely to me.

11 times… depending on the rhythm that can hurt a lot.

After watching the vid. I see no possible way any rider with the riding strengths Cunego has could possibly win.
The Don V. could only do it if he got in a break with riders who cannot match his finishing sprint, but see no way for this to likely happen.
In reality, he’ll be supporting Freire most likely; if he even goes.
Same for Gilbert.
I dig the guy, but Boonan is far better suited for this race then he is.

Nope, I’m pretty sure this will come down to those who typically only focus on the Spring Classics.
I’d speculate those in contention at Gent-Wevelgem this year would be ideal for this Worlds course providing they get off the beach and back on their bike in early August.

Milan San Remo wouldn’t be classed as a complete sprinter fest either and he surprised everyone by winning that. I think Cavendish’s success will depend completely on his team. He was babysat to the line in MSR last year by his whole team. The Columbia team then was probably stronger than the British team will be at the Worlds.

Cavendish has made this race a season goal. Last year he won MSR without even announcing it as a season goal, even though it obviously was privately. But the fact that he has come out and said he wants to win the Rainbow jersey this year, then he (and his backup staff) obviously know that he can win it. Plenty of the British team will have been riding together at Team Sky all year putting the likes of Boassan Hagen and Henderson into winning positions. If they can all work together Cavendish, I think he can do it.

Obviously the hills will pose a problem for the Manxman, but that’s what we all that about the Cipressa and th Poggio last year. I’ve no doubt that he will be doing specific training to get used to this type of course and that he will be uber prepared.

I love the post and I tried to ignore it but I can’t… we don’t say/use ain’t… we really really don’t. I know many think our English is mangled, but we pick and choose our Americanisms…

Norway’s gonna rock this one.