Cycling: Just a few days after the end of the European Championships, the Road World Championships are on the agenda. We'll show you the schedule. We also philosophize about possible favorites. What are the chances for German-speaking professionals?
World Champion freestyle for the 88th time
In addition to the yellow jersey at the Tour de France, this is rainbow jersey the most coveted jersey in cycling. Next week it will be that time again: The new world champions will be crowned. From September 19th to 26th no fewer than eleven competitions are held in Belgium. The Road World Championships are already 88 years old. But there is one novelty: the men's time trial will open the world championship. While the fight against the clock usually took place on Wednesday, the pros now have a few more days to regenerate before the road race on the following Sunday. With this, the elite men put a bracket around the Road World Cup. And the cast couldn't be better – just like the route. Ironically, in cycling madness Flanders the stars of road cycling will compete for gold, silver and bronze.
Men: Two crossers are the favourites
Due to the wavy, very demanding profile, not many riders are in the running for the title in the men's road race. Next to defending champion Julian Alaphilippe (France) there are two crossers in particular. wout van aert (Belgium) wants to conquer the rainbow jersey on the road in his home country after winning the world championship title in cyclocross. If you've seen him at the Tour de France this year, you'll understand why he'll be the top favourite. As its main competitor will be especially Mathieu van der Poel (Netherlands) viewed. His crosser colleague was often the decisive meters ahead of him in cross-country races, but both seem to feel right at home on the road. The Swiss touch down Marc Hirschi, the Germans up Maximilian Schachman. In the time trial everything will probably depend on a duel between the defending champions Filippo Gana (Italy) and New European Champion Stefan Kung (Switzerland) run out.
Women: Lippert is one of the favourites
In the women's road race, the field of riders is more balanced. Even if the Dutch women have to be seen as clear favorites again. After all, the women in orange have always won the world title in the past four years. At least in the time trial, however, becomes the defending champion Anna van der breggen not compete. According to the coach, the 31-year-old, who will retire at the end of the season, is not in the right shape. It is still unclear whether she will compete in the street race. What is certain is that the Dutch women still have a chance of winning. are to be named Annemiek van Vleuten and Ellen van Dijk. But the BDR can also have hopes. Liana Lippert presented herself at the European Championships in such a strong condition that she could be beaten coming up the hill. In the time trial, she hopes European Champion Marlene Reusser (Switzerland) now also on the world championship title. The Germans Lisa Brennauer and Lisa Klein will try to make it as difficult as possible for her.
The Road World Championships schedule at a glance
- 19 September: Men's World Championship time trial
- 20 September: U23 World Championship time trial
- 20 September: Women's World Championship time trial
- September 21: World Championship time trial for juniors
- 21 September: World Championship time trial for juniors
- 22 September: Mixed Relay World Championship Team Time Trial
- 24 September: Junior World Championship Road Race
- 24 September: U23 World Championship road race
- 25 September: Women's World Championship Road Race
- 25 September: Junior Women's World Championship Road Race
- 26 September: Men's World Championship Road Race
Note:
All events will be broadcast on Eurosport, ZDF and DAZN!