Worlds: what is the course like?

JRMDC said:

Can someone give me some info on the course for the World road race championship? Flat, hilly? Does it favor the Cipollini-style sprinter mass finish, or will there be a few strong men breaking away at the end? How does it compare to previous years?

thanks

http://www.salzburg-2006.com/en/

Looks like it'll favor an escape artist like Bettini.

DiabloScott said:

salzburg-2006.comenOpen ↗

Looks like it'll favor an escape artist like Bettini.

Thanks. 12 laps, so twelve climbs of about 90 meters and twelve of about 70 meters. 9km from the last peak to the finish, and 6km from the end of the descent to the finish. I think you are right.

JRMDC said:

I think you are right.

If he wins- be sure to pick up a souvenier bottle of Paolo Bettini Olive Oil with rainbow stripes:

http://www.paolobettini.it/eng/shop_02.php

DiabloScott said:

If he wins- be sure to pick up a souvenier bottle of Paolo Bettini Olive Oil with rainbow stripes:

paolobettini.itshop 02.phpOpen ↗

and some Tom Danielson coffee? :eek:

Valverde, Bettini, Di Luca...should all be favorites for this one.

I wonder who the Americans are going to send. Haven't heard a single name yet

Tyler?????????????????

EvilJediJ said:

Valverde, Bettini, Di Luca...should all be favorites for this one.

I wonder who the Americans are going to send. Haven't heard a single name yet

Tyler?????????????????

George said his season is over.
Horner?
Chris Wherry?
JJ Haedo?
probably no Levi
Danielson? not a good course for him
Maybe Neddie Overend should go over and kick some butt!

Lampre announced that Cunego won't start, after his third place at LBL i would say this course would suit him...😕

EvilJediJ said:

Valverde, Bettini, Di Luca...should all be favorites for this one.

I wonder who the Americans are going to send.

I heard Rebellin is changing his nationality to USA for a spot on the team.
Throw in Guido Trenti for good measure.
Is Fred Rod recovered?
Horner could take this!

DiabloScott said:

salzburg-2006.comenOpen ↗

Looks like it'll favor an escape artist like Bettini.

I'll go for Boogerd (but he probebly will be second or third😄 )

EvilJediJ said:

Valverde, Bettini, Di Luca...should all be favorites for this one.

I wonder who the Americans are going to send. Haven't heard a single name yet

Tyler?????????????????

Can someone clarify something about Tyler Hamilton? I know the basic suspension is two years, but isn't there an additional two-year ProTour suspension (which I assume wouldn't be relevant for the Worlds)? What's the deal?

Anyway, I would be shocked if the US sent Tyler. I know he wants to do it, but I just don't see it happening (although I think it would be awesome, personally). It's a joke, right?

ishiwata said:

Can someone clarify something about Tyler Hamilton? I know the basic suspension is two years, but isn't there an additional two-year ProTour suspension (which I assume wouldn't be relevant for the Worlds)? What's the deal?

Anyway, I would be shocked if the US sent Tyler. I know he wants to do it, but I just don't see it happening (although I think it would be awesome, personally). It's a joke, right?

His suspension is over just days before the World's TT. He has to have a professional contract with a professional team, which could be Navigators or Health Net or Jelly Belly and can't be a ProTour team. He'd have to be picked by the selection comittee well in advance of that though. I suspect if he got picked he could land a contract with somebody. I don't think any of this matters though - they won't want him.

bobke said:

George said his season is over.

Yes, but it is really too bad. As many times as GH has ridden in or near the front group at Flanders, you would think that by now he would have the repeated short climb thing down pat.

Edit: removed the erroneous comparison of climb length.

My eyeball take from the profile is that there are two 1000m climbs of 7% each lap. Anyone read the actual figures?

I think the course is close to Captain von Trapp's house in the SOund of Music.
He was sooo dreamy, Christopher Plummer, right WBT??