Varese World Championships...

Powerful Pete

Ok, in the authority conferred to me by no one, I would like to open the official thread on the WC.

I noticed that Boonen, Valverde and Bettini have all three demonstrated through their wins in the Vuelta that they are in excellent shape and will have to be reckoned with in the WCs.

Comments? Thoughts?

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classic1

the squadra azzuri has been announce. No Pozzato or Di Luca.

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slovakguy

...barring the crash/ped positive my predictions usually result in, i'm thinking bettini again. thinking an outside chance for menchov 'cause he's been a big flop this year...

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classic1

Menchov is rubbish in one day races. If you look up 'Deisel' in the dictionary they have a picture of him.

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Bikeridindude

Is Jose Rujano going to be there? If he is, of course he's my number one pick. Or Lance if he does it on his mountain bike.

limerickman

I'm going to stick this thread, PP.

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morelike hypocrisy.

jonjungel

My guess is that Kolobnev is the captain for Russia. He did very well both in last years WC, and the olympics.

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limerickman

My initial thoughts are, like yours, that Boonen, Valverde and Bettini will all feature.

As with every year, the team which rides best as a squad will determine who wins.
In the 2007 World Road Race in Stuttgart, the Italian squad rode as a team and tactically in the last few kilometres the team made sure that Bettini was correctly positioned for the win.

For 2008, I think that the Spanish squad present a serious threat and could provide the winner.
The Spaniards could decide to work for Freire.

But there are other riders who have hard a superb season and could feature for the podium places - Schleck brothers, Cancellara, Schumacher, O'Grady.

Let me have a look at the provisional start list before going in to more detail.

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.."But finally the last thing I’ll say to the people who don’t believe in cycling, the cynics and the sceptics. I'm sorry for you. I’m sorry that you can’t dream big. [I]I'm sorry you don't believe in miracles. You should believe in these athletes, and you should believe in these people. I'll be a fan of the Tour de France for as long as I live. And there are no secrets" - this is a hard sporting event and hard work wins it - Armstrong 2005 TDF
morelike hypocrisy.

Eldrack

I think the Italians have by far the most powerful squad, followed by the Spanish who won the olympic RR. I'd put in a prediction that the Italians control the race but valv.piti has the strongest kick at the end and takes the win ahead of Bettini.

Capt.Injury

I think I favor Bettini more then Valverde, I believe Valverde targetted the TDF and the Olympics more, while Bettini targetted the Classics in the Spring and fall.

I like the pick of Kolobnev as a dark horse. I like Leipheimers chances, with his form based aroud the Vuelta. From what i have heard though, I dont know what ot make of the course. We have heard of it being a hard course, but i have read several riders talk about it not being as difficult as they are saying.

My Dark horse though I will go with Chavanel, others will be marking Bettini and Valverde, and he is always agressive, so he could get away with a lap to go and be able to hold off the charge by the end.

classic1

Yep, because Leipheimer has such a stellar record in one day races and packs a killer sprint.

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Powerful Pete

The squadra azzurra will definitely attempt to control the race. Whether anyone else helps out depends on who is away in the breaks.

I would be more afraid of Boonen that Valverde. He is much fresher having not raced most of the year and would love to have an important win to 'salvage' the second half of his season.

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PAOLO BETTINI CAMPIONE DEL MONDO x 2!

Powerful Pete

By the way, the official website of the championships is here for those that may be interested.

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RdBiker

If the pack stays almost completely together then Boonen'll take it, or if he makes one of the larger breakaways then I pick him too. But if it's a small group then Bettini or Valverde. Is it an uphill finish?

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