From the course profile, it looks to favor the classic riders/punchers. A breakaway from the hills might succeed because these aren't trade teams who would chase down a break with more coordination.

Or everyone could be together on the final circuits and then a sprinter will win (Sam Bennett?)

Then there's Sagan, Alaphillipe, classic winners who might get some separation from the sprinters and win.

It will be interesting. This has been the year of younger riders.

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Indoor Triathlete - I thought I was right, until I realized I was wrong.

would suit someone with a good positioning and sprint (e.g. Degenkolb when he was good). No climbs that are excessively long or steep on the finishing circuit (which is to say, a bunch of 90-second variety climbs), but the road twists and turns, and it'd be really hard to get organized. Also, some gnarly off-camber turns on the descent.

So yeah, the classics specialists with really good kicks would do well here (that would be Sagan, Alaphilippe, Kwiatkowski, and M vdP)

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Also, the Benelux tour (Bincksbanks, I think?) is finally getting interesting. Almost as if on queue, Wellens goes on a rainy breakaway in that tour and has built up a sizeable lead

Me too. http://www.cyclingnews.com/...019/stage-1/results/

he took it up with 250-275 m to go, and managed to hold people off. Most would be slowing down in the last 25-50 m if they go that early, he's just breezing by...

Thanks to Binck Bank Tour, we had a proper classics day today

Really liked how aggressively Jumbo raced. They were the laughing stock for so long, but no one is laughing now.

GvA is over the hill unfortunately, but Ollie Naesen is likeable enough.

And lastly, M vdP says the Yorkshire course favors Alaphilippe. I'm not so sure. Methinks M vdP is just deflecting and blowing smoke ;)

This worlds could be won by so many different riders it’s going to be great. Last year LFF was the favorite I believe but had a horrible race and after this years TDF he might be in a deep hole. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Old Man repeated!

There must be 10-12 guys with a legit shot, seems most wide open in many years.

But first the Vuelta, less than a week away! Should be a good battle there too.

Good battle in Utah today. Hermans- no chinks in the armour.

Great ride for Joe D. He could be busy for the next few weeks, Uran has a good shot at Vuelta.

Very happy for Joe D today; hot week in Utah good prep for Vuelta heat ??

Jumbo bringing stud team to finish off their kickass season on top step of podium. Odds seem pretty good against the other Junior Varsity squads. Especially starting with TTT (with Martin slotted in to ensure they repeat their TdF performance) and then 3 summit finishes before we hit the ITT. Will see if Roglic can put it all together, with Kruijswijk a great Plan A-2 if he has anything left in the tank. Bennett there to be...Bennett. And have been impressed with the quick maturation of Sep Kuss since his win at ToU last year.

EF and Rigo will hopefully put up a good fight and have a great showing.

I assumed he was going but didn't see him on the start list. He's getting married in October.
Hmmmmm. I'll get to the bottom of this.

if this were two years ago, i'd rate him highly. I think the ole bastard has finally slowed and came back down to earth a touch. It's surprising how well he does in a 25-person sprint

Some significant moves happening: TD to Jumbo as expected, Campenaerts to Dimension, Gilbert to Lotto and Martin steps down to pro conti with Israel Cycling Academy, probably the most interesting move so far.

Still waiting to see what happens to Rohan Dennis. Seems like it would be pretty hard to salvage the sponsor relationship, much less coach/rider relationship there.

Yeah, can't continuing with Bahrain; that petulance is not a good look. Seems likely that next stop will be someone he's worked with before and comfortable with, who will put up with his theatrical bullshit.

how's TD going to coexist with Roglic?

Poor Martin, I hope he's getting paid handsomely. At this rate, he ought to return to Vaughters, if we are talking solely sporting performances

And Kruiseship. I hope Jumbo designates a leader and takes the fight to Ineos, because Movistar approach yields nothing but disappointment. With Bennet and Martin—if they all race for one—they have an equally strong supporting team.

 


When does the Vuelta thread start ?

On the other hand Ineos dual leadership has produced 1-2 TdF finishes two years in a row, among 3 riders. And Ineos will almost certainly attempt that even more often next year with 4 Grand Tour winners on the roster. (assuming Froome's recovery goes OK).

You want to kick it off?

done

Anna vdB, what a boss. That was helluva ride at Plouay. Too bad that the men's race almost never ends like that (someone actually going for it earlier on the circuit, as opposed to the very worn out tactic of attacking the last hill).

and Sep has finally done it. That's either his first World Tour win or his first classics win.

Ballsy, gutsy riding. Chapeau

This edition is so much better than the bore fest of yesteryears. I wonder what they did to liven up the course

He did win the Omloop het Nieuwsblad already, so his 2nd classic win. So stoked for him!