Cycling: Sunday is the day: Richmond will decide who will take to the streets in the colors of the world champion next season. Will reigning world champion Michal Kwiatkowski manage to defend his title? What chances does John Degenkolb have and how is Peter Sagan's fitness? We have the answers!
The route – classic potential
This year's route for the road competitions (men, women, U23, juniors) is atypical by American standards and is reminiscent of classic routes in Europe in many places. Above all, the steep, technically demanding and roughly paved climb on Libby Hill seems like a homage to the paved passages of Paris-Roubaix. The rest of the route is also characterized by narrow streets, hard curves and two 180° turns. So the circuit in Richmond is definitely a case for the technically experienced drivers in the field like Degenkolb or Sagan.
The circuit is 16,2 km long – the men will have to complete it 16 times on Sunday afternoon at 15:00 p.m. German time. That makes a total distance of 261,4km and almost 1700hm. It will be extremely exciting to see how the different types of drivers fare on the varied course. Because even if it is certainly more a case for the classic specialists in the field, the pure sprinters do not have a chance, especially if they have a strong team behind them. In any case, thrilling racing awaits us - don't miss it!
The favorites – showdown of the classic specialists
The defending champion Michal Kwiatkowski is certainly one of the favorites for the title again this year. After a strong early season with victory in the youngsters' classification at Paris-Nice and his triumph at the Amstel Gold Race, things have recently calmed down a bit for the young Pole. After a rather mixed Tour de France for him personally with an early end after stage 17, Kwiatkowski recently contested a few smaller races to build up his form for the World Cup.
The route could suit the professional from Etixx-QuickStep, who has been able to steadily improve his all-round qualities in recent years. However, it could be problematic that this year only five Polish professionals will be starting at the World Cup and the team is significantly weaker than, for example, the teams from Belgium or Germany. Nevertheless: Michal Kwiatkowski will be expected.
After an unprecedentedly successful early season with victories in the prestigious classics Milan-Sanremo and Paris-Roubaix, John Degenkolb has recently been a bit unlucky. Despite some very good performances in the Tour de France and the Vuelta a Espana with many second and third places, it was only enough to win a stage in a Grand Tour this season, namely in the final stage of the Vuelta in Madrid.
Even if there have been no victories recently, the 26-year-old has repeatedly underlined his still very good form. The track in Richmond will certainly suit the German and the technically demanding cobblestone sections will certainly bring back pleasant memories of Paris-Roubaix. In addition, Degenkolb has a very strong team behind him, including André Greipel, Simon Geschke and Tony Martin. Chances are good for a medal!
Peter Sagan is certainly one of the strongest riders in the peloton this season. The Slovak in the employ of Tinkoff-Saxo also rode an extremely strong Tour de France after his overall victory at the Tour of California. The 25-year-old was seen almost every day in an escape group. Even if it was not enough to win a day, five second places and a superior victory in the points classification speak for themselves.
The Vuelta got off to a promising start for Sagan, with the eagerly awaited stage win, two second places and one third place. Unfortunately, a collision with an escort motorcycle put an unfortunate end to this year's Tour of Spain. But Sagan had time to regenerate after the exhausting season and is one of the big favorites in Richmond, especially because the finish seems made for him.
It's been a relatively quiet season for Philippe Gilbert. After rather mixed results in the spring classics and a strong Giro with second place in the points classification and two stage wins, minor injuries kept throwing the Belgian back. Most recently, however, he showed again at the Eneco Tour that he has found his form and seems prepared for the World Cup.
Gilbert can build on what is probably the strongest team in the peloton in Richmond. With Greg van Avermaet and Tom Boonen there are basically three riders in the Belgian team who should feel at home on the classic terrain of this year's World Championship. It will probably only become clear in the course of the race which of them will ultimately be fighting for victory - Belgium's chances of a medal are in any case very good - whether at Gilbert, van Avermaet or Boonen.
Like almost every year, Alexander Kristoff is one of the favorites for the world title. The Norwegian was in excellent early form this year: in Oman and Qatar, the Katusha pro drove the competition to the ground and he was also exceptional in the classics with victories at the Scheldeprijs, the Tour of Flanders and a second place at Milan-Sanremo successful.
Unfortunately, the Tour de France didn't go as hoped for Kristoff. Although he was in a promising position several times, he was only rarely able to bring his undoubtedly existing sprinter qualities to the asphalt and he was denied a stage win. Most recently, however, he showed himself to be greatly improved again in the Vatenfall Cyclassics and only had to admit defeat to André Greipel, who was almost invincible this year. The circuit in Richmond will certainly suit the 28-year-old and with Edvald Boasson Hagen he also has a very strong helper behind him.
Live Stream
You can follow the road race at the World Championships in Richmond on Sunday afternoon at 15:00 p.m. via the UCI live stream. You will of course find the corresponding link in good time on Velomotion.
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