2024 World Championships TT Preview: The time trials begin the 2024 World Championship motion in Zurich and the elite males’s race is on Sunday. The battle in opposition to the clock must be a giant one with Remco Evenepoel, Stefan Küng, Filippo Ganna, Joshua Tarling and Primoz Roglič all on the beginning line. Right here is all the information you want:
Can Remco be crushed?
In 2023, Remco Evenepoel gained in Scotland in opposition to the previous TT hand Filippo Ganna and younger Josh Tarling. You may learn the ‘PEZ Race Report’ HERE. The query is, can Ganna raise his season for the win, or has Tarling matured in a 12 months to raised Evenepoel? In fact there are others within the wings; Stefan Küng being one of many principal ones after his Vuelta stage win and we are able to’t neglect 4 time Vuelta winner Primoz Roglič.
May the 2024 podium look the identical: Ganna, Evenepoel and Tarling?
Course
The elite males’s time trial of 46.1 kilometres, begins from the Oerlikon velodrome, within the north of Zurich. This open-air velodrome was inbuilt 1912 and hosted the monitor World championships seven instances between 1923 and 1983. It was additionally the end of the Zurich Championships, a one-day Basic that now not exists.
After the beginning in Oerlikon, the route is on straight and flat roads by the suburbs of Zurich to Fällanden on the north facet of the Greifensee. The race follows the lake on nearly flat roads by Maur and Mönchaltorf. Earlier than passing by Oetwil am See, the street begins to go up. That is the beginning of the primary climb of two.6 kilometres at a median of 4.5%. This climb begins within the bushes and takes the riders to a plateau at an altitude of 640 metres (the very best level of the day), with views of the Swiss panorama.
There may be then a quick descent by Uetikon and the beginning of the second climb which is 1,400 meters lengthy at 5%. The climb just isn’t that onerous, however if you’re not at 100%, that is the place it’s going to point out. The course flip left to begin a brief descent of two kilometres, the course is then flat alongside Lake Zurich to the end on the Sechseläutenplatz. The final twelve kilometres are additionally pretty straight and that is the place the facility will are available in.
Zurich (Oerlikon) – Zurich
Distance: 46.1 kilometres
Climbing: 413 metres
Intermediate time factors: 12.5, 26.6 and 36.7 kilometres
Begin: 14:45 (CET)
End: 17:30 (CET).
UCI World Championships Zürich 2024 – ITT Males Elites Route
So who’re the favourites?
Remco Evenepoel stated on the finish of August that he was feeling drained after his Tour and Olympic efforts and that the World Championships in Zurich had been his subsequent purpose and wouldn’t race until then. Filippo Ganna was in the same place and missed the European Championships. Whereas Joshua Tarling‘s Nice Britain crew didn’t ship any riders to the European champs. They are going to all be there on Sunday, however Wout van Aert, Tadej Pogačar and Jonas Vingegaard are all lacking from the World’s TT begin record.
Prime favorite Remco Evenepoel
Prime favorite needs to be Remco Evenepoel. His season has been exceptionally profitable: Third place within the Tour de France at his first try and two Olympic titles in Paris. Evenepoel then determined to relaxation in preparation for the World championships and Il Lombardia. The Belgian rode solely the Tour of Britain after the Olympics after which went on an altitude coaching camp. He has confirmed lately that he can peak for vital occasions and that he has been the most effective time trialist on the earth. Can he take a second-in-a-row World title? Barring accidents or mechanicals he ought to and the course in Zurich is ideal for him with the quick climbs and energy straights.
Filippo Ganna not having his greatest 12 months
Final 12 months, Filippo Ganna pushed Evenepoel shut within the World champs in Scotland, a distinction of solely 12 seconds after 47.8 kilometres. This 12 months Ganna has had a quiet construct up and much from excellent. In his final race, the Renewi Tour, the Italian needed to abandon after the primary stage. There appears to be one thing improper with Ganna, his INEOS Grenadiers crew wouldn’t or couldn’t say what, however stated it want ed additional investigation. So there’s a large query mark over Ganna. The Olympic silver medallist in Paris possibly again to his previous kind by Sunday, however is a 3rd World title potential? His wins in 2020 and 2021 had been on related programs, however can he beat Evenepoel even when he’s at 100%?
Stefan Küng stormed the ultimate stage of the Vuelta
Residence rider Stefan Küng has ridden 9 World time trial championships and two Olympic Video games, however this 12 months he appears to be in his greatest place for a rainbow jersey. Küng will need to do his greatest on dwelling soil, though he often offers his greatest anyway. Küng is up in opposition to powerful opposition, however his Vuelta a España confirmed his greatest kind. The Groupama-FDJ rider has gained so many medals and podium locations, however few titles. He seemed to be the favorite for the European TT title, however it was second once more, simply 9 seconds behind Edoardo Affini.
Josh Tarling – Nonetheless younger however gifted
Joshua Tarling continues to be very younger, however has already proven his class in opposition to the clock. Tarling continues to be solely 20-years previous, however he has been a high performer on the highest degree. Final 12 months he was European champion and third within the World championship, behind Evenepoel and Ganna. This season, Tarling has gained two of the 5 time trials he has began. Though the neutralised time trial victory in O Gran Camiño shouldn’t really matter. The younger INEOS Grenadiers rider gained British time trial title this season, however completed fourth and missed an Olympic time trial medal, though he did have a puncture. Tarling must be rested and ready for Sunday, however…
Roglič was second within the ultimate stage of the Vuelta when he might have coasted spherical
Primoz Roglič is presumably the ‘darkish horse’ of the TT champs. He might spring a shock on Evenepoel and the others, though it wouldn’t be a giant shock as Roglič has been a wonderful time trialist in Grand Excursions. In title races he has additionally pedigree: Seven years in the past within the Bergen World championships in Bergen, Roglič took the silver medal behind Tom Dumoulin and naturally he was Olympic TT champion in Tokyo, beating all the highest males of the time. Roglič actually wants extra climbing metres than there are in Zurich, however these 413 metres are to Roglič’s benefit.
Euro champ Edoardo Affini – Potential?
What in regards to the others who might spring a shock? The Individuals Brandon McNulty (fourth in 2023) and Magnus Sheffield might each put up a combat. Stefan Bissegger may very well be inspired by his dwelling followers after which there may be the brand new European champion, Edoardo Affini. He was the shock of the Euro champs, however the competitors wasn’t as excessive as it will likely be on Sunday. Then there may be Victor Campenaerts (second in Innsbruck), Kasper Asgreen, Mikkel Bjerg, Jay Vine, former World champions Tobias Foss, Søren Wærenskjold, Mathias Vacek, Bruno Armirail, Nelson Oliveira, João Almeida and Daan Hoole all to contemplate.
Who else however Remco?
The Favourites:
Prime Favorite: Remco Evenepoel
Podium Place: Joshua Tarling, Stefan Küng, Primoz Roglič and Filippo Ganna
Prime 10: Brandon McNulty, Magnus Sheffield, Jay Vine, Edoardo Affini and Stefan Bissegger.
Highlights of the 2023 World time trial champs
Keep PEZ for all of the World Championship motion.
# Due to PCS and WielerFlits for the stats and different data. #
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