Once again he's got a good story over at VN. Within it are two nuggets:
The peloton has changed in the last half of the year. Riders no longer attack and surge ahead, holding a high speed until the end. Now, they attack, gain a small gap and slow down, as they can’t sustain the prolonged effort. They stay away not because they are powerfully forging a gap but because the peloton behind gives in the pursuit. It was evident in the finale of the Worlds that no rider could attack and power up the entire climb alone and they watched each, attacking and covering. The winning attacks came on the flatter section of the course where their speed could be maintained; their legs with less pressure on them could more easily sustain fluidity.(In regards to the U23 race)
The U23 race was the most interesting of the week. Without radios in their ears the race was wide open and alive. Unaccustomed to racing without a director relaying tactical guidance, and orders, over the radios in their pockets the riders were left to their own instincts and knowledge. Breakaways that looked like they would make it to the finish were reeled in, riders unknowingly chased down their teammates, gaps were crossed with violent attacks while other riders sat in front of a charging group not knowing they would imminently be absorbed. The racing was exciting as it wasn’t orchestrated and had depth and emotion. Like digital images have changed photography, radios, have taken the grainy reality out of the peloton On several levels it is nice to see the humanity and reality return to cycling.