Seems starling really has been rapha-ed. I just saw three men pull the sort of face I'd expect to follow being told "I'm sorry but it's very bad news" by your doctor when told no to the question "do you have protein powder to go in the milk shakes?"
Did one of those riders lose their front wheel (literally, it was separate from the bike) either in the crash, or causing the crash?
Going to Harrogate on Sunday. Is the fan zone on grass or hard standing?
This isn’t gospel... so take it with the intention is meant.. but...
I was told yesterday that if the rain forecast does appear on Sunday... (torrential) the Fan Park might be closed....
(from a stand owner)
I realise that riders have to obey the call of nature, but shirley the camera man could turn onto something a bit more pleasant.
Unfortunate timing.If that had been me,I’d have just wet my pants.
Tell you what, the atmosphere in Harrogate and along the race route now is something else. Crowds *everywhere*. The noise going up the finishing straight, wow!
Still no official result for mens under 23, "jury decision in progress."
There's been a complaint holding up the u23 results... I bet it's from one of the pushy parents!
I’m excepting bikebuoy to come streaking out of hospitality any minute.
My eyes are glued to the top left.
😉
OMG!
Edit; So pleased for Tom Pidcock
I got home from work (in Harrogate!) to watch them go through Boroughbridge, stood at the most likely place for a crash, outside the Tourist Info.
Was disappointed.
Must admit though that it was like a mini Tour de France.
Was his drafting OTT blatant? Seems harsh if it was just the usual coming back after a crash, especially if it was early on in the race. I didn't see it so don't really know.
They all know the rules, hardly fair on the other riders if you get to the end of the race that bit fresher because of it, fair play is a big thing in cycling at the moment. It's good to see that the ones doing all the work in the latter part of the race were the ones on the podium too.
i think he went full nibali. theres a video on twitter with very sticky bottles. but why they waited until the end is daft.
Awww I thought the big lad deserved that at the time. But if he cheated, well, that's that I guess
I'm now wondering if the italians led the complaint. That would be a bitter irony.
Well well... it was simply a fabulous day for all the riders and especially the marshalls and helpers on the course .... staying out in those conditions was quite something else, and yes I know it’s the Worlds, but blooming ek! those last few riders who finished the course were simply amazeballz. My heart goes out to those that got dropped, to those that rode most of it on their own and to those that tried and ultimately faltered.... my admiration for the competitors is surpassed by any road race I’ve ever witnessed.
I can’t comment about the final results because I got caught at the top of “maty vde p” hill chatting to a bunch of very drunk Dutch and Belgian camper van owners..... whilst cheering the very last few up the last drag before Valley Gardens decent.
Whatever happened at the line, was beyond my expectations... I too caught the end on a mobile phone watching the footage and the crowds near me went ballistic.... they thought they’d won it.
We trotted into town to watch the presentation and like most were confused when the Dutch guy didn’t appear... what ever the reasons, I’m sure they were valid if controversial..
Hey ho!
The atmosphere in town was utterly fabulous, simply those that came out in the town despite the light drizzle before the sun came out was utterly stunning. Literally everyone was either shouting or whistling or cow bell bonging.
Its still going on... it’s a quarter to 11 and we’ve just walked in.. shattered.
Theres a great light show in the clouds... this is my final shot of the day...
Sounds like a good day out BB
'Like'
i think he went full nibali. theres a video on twitter with very sticky bottles. but why they waited until the end is daft.
It's almost impossible to DQ a rider mid-race.
The decision on penalties and fines is taken by the Commissaire Panel, not just one official. So evidence of any transgression are recorded and discussed up at the end with the full rulebook to hand, not just one Comm going "oh that's a bit naughty, DQ".
The other thing is that pulling a rider out involves getting a moto up to them (while they're racing) and having the moto pilot yell across that he's DQ'd which invariably results in an argument, other riders get involved, it gets heated....
You do it afterwards and the penalty can actually depend on the result. If you draft a car for miles and end up coming in 5 minutes down in 79th position, chances are they'll just give a fine. If you win the race, it's a bit more serious because the transgression has meant you're much fresher at the end so it's impacted the result.
So it seems the Dutch rider was Dq’d for drafting for 30secs having got back on after dislocating his shoulder and riding back on...
🤷♂️
Seems harsh IMO.
So it seems the Dutch rider was Dq’d for drafting for 30secs having got back on after dislocating his shoulder and riding back on…
He was holding the team car, they looked at his GPS trace. 40mph up a hill for a significant amount of time kind of did it for him. They'd have probably turned a blind eye to 30s of drafting but it wasn't that!
Anyway, what's the call for this afternoon?
It's actually not beyond the realms of possibility to have a Dutch 1-2-3 with Vos, Blaak, Pieters, Van Der Breggen, van Vleuten....
Lizzie Deignan obviously.
Amanda Spratt? One of the Americans?
I guess “we” will never see that sort of evidence, purely reading the News this morning’s interviews is all I read...
Anyway today?
No idea... erm.. Van Vluten then 🤷♂️
It’s sunny and kinda dry ATM... heading into town for breakfast..
My friend and I are heading up soon, armed with wellies and waterproofs for the fan zone.
Any recommendations for places to watch in the town?
after the time trial, then the American Dygart must be up there. She was bonkers strong.
The Dutch could close it down though. The US has to break it into smaller pieces to give Dygart a crack.
Suns out in Harrogate. As are the Dutch fans. There’s a great atmosphere. Should be a great race today. Hopefully no dodgy decisions by the race jury (yesterday’s decision was dodgy as and should have been made in race). Heading up to Ripon for my second day of Marshalling (aka spectator engagement). Hopefully there’ll be a few more people out.
Hard to see beyond the Dutch as the team that the winner will come from - the question is who will it be? Blaak? Vos? Van de Breggen? Or van Vleuten? The money seems to be on Vos.
Any recommendations for places to watch in the town?
If you watch it at Crescent Road you can see it twice cos it passes one side (Cornwall Road) at about 3.7km to go then does Swan Road/Crescent Road at about 900m to go do you see them twice.
Finishing straight is good but busy. There is however live commentary there on speakers all down the street.
Cafes: Starling on Oxford Street and Cadex pop up at the 500m to go mark. Most pubs, cafes, bars etc will also have it on.
Specialized shop at West Park (about 50m past the finish line) is good, they've got big screen, drinks and as the riders head back after the race they have to go in front of it so people hang round there for selfies.
Setting off soon. Not sure if I can see the light show and catch the music later on. Depends on alcohol consumption 😁
If you’re watching in Harrogate crazylegs suggestion is good. For the final lap I would be looking to get on to the top of the hill by the corner as the road straightens onto the last few hundred meters. The riders are slower here. Make sure you’re on the Bettys side of the road as that’s the racing line.
At about 200metree Shimano have a truck with tv screens. Unfortunately folks don’t quite have a sense of etiquette- few too many brollies up.
I wish Claire Balding would **** off back to horse riding
Suns out and the town is very vibrant !!
Very busy down around the pump rooms. A pleasure to see so many of having a good time of it
Just back from watching this race on the Lofthouse climb. I was just above the sharp left-hander that's the steepest part of the climb. Van Vleuten had just made her move and was about ten to fifteen seconds of the group, including Lizzie Deignan, that were trying to follow. Amazed that she kept away for the 106km to the finish.
Well deserved win but I thought the chasing group just let her ride away to victory by refusing to work together and +1 for Claire balding going back to horses
Who are we thinking for tomorrow? A break away? Bunch till the last 500m and VdP or Alaphilippe? Something else
ATMOSPHERE!!
Awesome ride by Van Vleuten, I knew she had it in her... and a 1-2 for the Dutch after yesterday’s DSQ... thoroughly deserved 👍👍👍🤗
Atomsphere was fabulous in town, I spend some time in my mates bike shop and it was great to see Tom Pidcock in there chatting with the kids 🤣👍👍👍👊
And they got to go gravel riding with Robbie McEwen no less 👍👍👍🤷♂️👍👍🔥☄️
The atmosphere around the circuit is mental. HUGE crowds and campervan alley is like Dutch Corner on Alpe d'Huez.
A big crowd of Sagan supporters have just walked past, then AvV came out of the compound with her rainbow jersey and medal (and an entourage of security) so a massive crowd materialised instantly.
Tomorrow should be incredible, just hope the weather isn't too shit....
How was it feasible for a 105km breakaway to win? Is there a huge gulf in class between her and the rest or did the dutch team prevent a chase?
Great result but as an occasional follower of road racing it just sounds bonkers.
At first I think they just thought they'd leave her out front, I think her lead for most of that time was around a minute, but no-one seemed to want to work to bring her back. Of course the Dutch weren't going to help out in any chase. Occasionally breakaways do work.
How was it feasible for a 105km breakaway to win?
Everyone thinks she'll die a death so they leave it out there.
She doesn't - if anything the gap keeps going out - so riders start looking around to organise a chase.
No-one is going to tow anyone else to the line, no-one wants to help someone who is obviously a favourite so they all sit there looking at each other, maybe launching a few sporadic attacks which only serves to let the breakaway get even further away.
And the incredibly strong Dutch team will sit there and block everything. Pretty much any of those Dutch riders could have won today.
Smart riding from AvV with the legs to back it up.
Yes, as above, I think the bunch saw the main threat as Marianne Vos, who was at/near the front of the chasers. At 60km to go, they were 3 minutes behind, easily catchable with a bunch, but no-one seemed to want to try, they were still watching Vos, then at 30km to go, they were still losing time, and realised they were not going to catch her.
What isnt quite clear when watching, is that there is a large difference in abilities in the womens race. Although they are all fast and FaF by normal peoples standards, the top 10-20% are a real step above the others,so when it starts getting tough, there are a lot who are just hanging on.At 60km to go, many could not do any more, so the chase never happened.
It wasn’t any old rider riding that 100+ km break. It was AvV someone with a proven time trial record. The Dutch had a rider in the chase group (Van de Breggen) who would have won if AvV had been brought back. Quite aside from Vos being in the main group. So no one is going to ride without taking the Dutch with them. Genius tactics by the team.
Genius tactics by the team.
Got a strong feeling that the Belgians will be doing the same tomorrow....
Who will they send out early then?
Gilbert 🤣🥳🥳🥳🤯
