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World Championship team?

by morganmuffle (U4268603) 20 August 2007

I've just read about the way the UCI is allocating places for the Worlds (overcomplicated much?)

It's on Cycling News here:
www.cyclingnews.com/news.php...

So Britain has three spots for the Road Race and two (the same as everyone else) for the Time Trial.

I'd guess Mark Cavendish might get a spot, and Bradley Wiggins (though whether for Time Trial or Road Race I'm not sure). Roger Hammond might be in there, he'd probably provide good support to Cavendish.

I'm not sure I'd like to try and choose (if only we could have nine places like Luxemburg!)

Equally, if anyone knows much about Women's cycling who do you think will be on that team? (6 places)

We haven't qualified for the U23 race at all!

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comment by hockinsk (U1650299)

posted Aug 20, 2007

Quote from cyclingnews: "Top Asian nation Iran may start with six riders"

How bizarre is that? I can't even name an Iranian rider.

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comment by c_murphy86 (U2911306)

posted Aug 20, 2007

Top Asian Nation? What about China and Japan? In fact what about Kazakhstan? Even by the greatest stretch of the imagination you can hardly class Kazakhtan as being in Europe. A bit of research I've discovered a few Iranians:-

Ghader Mizbani Iranagh: Champion of UCI Asia Tour 2005-2006 and current tour leader.

Hossein Askari: Currently 2nd in Asia Tour rankings.

Its a little confusing but basically because most Kazakhs, Chinese and Japanese top riders ride in the European and ProTours they don't get counted for the Asia Tour nation rankings which define how many riders of each Asian nation can go to the Worlds which is, frankly, ridiculous considering the Kazakhs are ranked 11 on the ProTour, the Chinese 24th, the Japanese 30th and the Iranians....non existent.

Incidently 9th in the Individual Asian Tour rankings is our very own Daniel Lloyd, which frankly is impressive seeing how he's ridden a grand total of 1 race in Asia this year! Also in the Oceana Tour the Nations competition has become a two horse race. Mainly because only Australia and New Zealand are actually involved in it. You've gotta love the UCI.

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comment by morganmuffle (U4268603)

posted Aug 20, 2007

Kazakhstan and the other coutnries in that area are a bit difficult to classify as "europe" or "asia" but I'd guess they come under the European heading. Not that Kazakhstan are going to have a lot of riders with the current shadows hanging over Vino et al.

Hammond and Lloyd seem to be favourites for 2 of the 3 places. It'd be nice to see Geraint/Thomas in there if only for experience. Then we could have Millar and Wiggins for the Time Trial.

It really is a pity about the U23s though considering how much work has been put into brining young riders through the system.

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comment by Alex Murray - BBC Radio 5 live (U516526)

posted Aug 21, 2007

I'd go with Le Dandy, Lloydy and The Penguin and - Millar, Lloyd and Thomas - for the road race and Millar and Wiggins for the TT, with Steve Cummings if we've got a third spot/travelling reserve and Roger Hammond also travelling for the road race.

I seem to remember Bradley speaking very highly of Steve earlier this year when I interviewed him, plus the lad needs a chance to showcase his talents in the hunt for a new team next year. I think they're allowed to take four or five nominated riders from which three will ride so it would make sense to take the full amount and see how everyone is going come the day to make sure the strongest selection starts.

My reasoning - Lloyd can stick with Millar, as he proved at the nationals, and can climb as well as any of the other likely candidates. Thomas has proved he can do a job on the front when called upon, as he did for Robbie Hunter, and I suspect that he's a lot tougher and more savvy than many of the other contenders. Plus if Millar needs a lead-out then he can do it.

If Geraint is consideed a bit too green, then the only other choice is Hammond for his experience. My only question would be whether he's still got the form he was carrying in the Spring Classics. I guess the Tour of Britain should give us an fairly good picture.

From what I've heard it's a rather lumpy course in Stuttgart with plenty of climbing over the total distance (more than 4000 metres so about as much as a GT mountain stage) which I'm not sure would suit Roger's style of riding. Then again, would it suit Thomas either?

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comment by c_murphy86 (U2911306)

posted Aug 21, 2007

Here's the race profile, I believe they do 14 laps of it, makes my legs feel weak at the thought of it to be honest.

http://neu.radwm2007.de/filerepository/Td8gpeFt8vvCsmLJNVtr.jpg

Considering this one was the Athens Olympics course: http://www.dailypeloton.com/article_images/races04/olympics/rrcourse.jpg

which Hammond came 7th on I would think he should be able to handle Stuttgard

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comment by morganmuffle (U4268603)

posted Aug 21, 2007

When did Thomas become The Penguin?

Hammond may be more experienced but his form peaked much earlier this year, I suppose it's possible he'll reach a second peak by the time of the Worlds. Thomas is very young though, youngest rider in the Tour wasn't he?

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comment by enjoy_the_ride (U7937800)

posted Aug 21, 2007

Apparently, Geraint Thomas is known simply as 'G'.

But David Millar was full of praise about his compatriot's Zen-like calm during this years Tour de France� "You never know what G is thinking but occasionally he gives you a sideway glance like a Penguin on the beach at Madagascar or somewhere".

The media picked up on the quote and there we have it.

Why a penguin, not to sure, but one of the newspaper quote i read said it had something to do with the fact G still has a fresh face, not yet emaciated and wrinkled like a seasoned pro.

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comment by Lowlandbrit (U5083598)

posted Aug 21, 2007

And now I seem to have managed to get someone else to join me in calling him Geraint/Thomas! Hurrah! Makes me feel a bit sad for Daniel Lloyd though, who only gets 'Lloydy'

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comment by LukeHannah (U6125156)

posted Aug 21, 2007

Road Race:

Mark Cavendish
Jeremy Hunt
Roger Hammond

Time Trial:

David Millar
Bradley Wiggins

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