On Sunday, in atrocious conditions, Rui Costa of Portugal rode to victory in the men’s road race of the World Championships. The entire British squad, including Chris Froome, pulled out of the race.
So conditions must have been really bad then. The live footage of the race didn’t quite get across the scale of just how bad the weather was, which the riders endured for over 7-hours. This video, shot from the Shimano neutral support car, does however. There are crashes aplenty, multiple punctures and lots and lots of water. A tough day at the office for those riders who finished the race.
12 thoughts on “Video: Splish splosh at the World Championships”
I still think the British
I still think the British lads needed to exercise some Rule #5…
YorkshireMike wrote:I still
=D>
Polish flag on back of moto
Polish flag on back of moto at 35 seconds… what was that all about…? One way to get yourself banned from races…
The live footage and
The live footage and commentary on the BBC was truly dreadful. No graphics or time splits, hardly any decent updates on who was where in the race, confusing commentary etc. Give it to Sky to sort out and I’ll happily pay a few quid to watch it properly. My missus had no clue what was going on – “just another cyclist riding in the rain” was her take on it. No wonder it has taken multiple Tour wins before we have started to convince the British public… 😕
theclaw wrote:The live
Shame BBC couldn’t wait for the podium presentation but I was happy with the coverage especially when you have to accept they are borrowing the live feed from Italian TV. The last lap count down of ‘who’s who’ left in the pack left Boardman et all failing to notice Stybar remaining in the pack. I would have placed a side bet on him to be placed highly (26th -Ed)
If you look at the list of
If you look at the list of DNF’s from the men’s race, you’ll see that the GB squad were in pretty esteemed company…
A quick look at G.T when he
A quick look at G.T when he was being interviewed on the Beeb just after he pulled out should tell yuo all yuo need to know. he wasn’t just pale his lips were positively blue.
Yeah, you’re not kidding. I’m
Yeah, you’re not kidding. I’m genuinely surprised he wasn’t on oxygen – someone attending A&E looking like Geraint did would be rushed straight through to resus!
According to VeloNews Rod
According to VeloNews Rod Ellingworth wasn’t too happy at the GB lads and their collective ‘early bath’.
http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/15548/Ellingworth-disappointed-with-British-performance-at-world-championships.aspx
May this is partly why Sky don’t figure in the Spring classics. Or is the team so geared around stage racing that one-day races, even this one, don’t get the attention they deserve? (Mark Cavendish’s 2011 win excepted)
I know I wouldn’t have wanted to ride for 7 hours in those conditions either, especially knowing you could only finish in an anonymous 57th place or worse.
It was a gripping finish and a superbly ridden win by Costa. I desperately wanted Rodriguez to get the stripey jumper but from his face he looked like a ‘dead man pedalling’ in the finishing straight. Great effort by Nibali to still be there at the end despite a crash late on in the race that would have had a GB rider calling for his mum (just kidding, lads). Three of the top four have ridden 2 GTs (and plenty else) this year.
Edit: afterthought from reading elsewhere, before questioning GB riders’ toughness don’t forget Thomas riding through the Tour with a fractured pelvis and Stannard’s performances in KBK 2010 and this year’s Milan-San Remo, both run in absolutely shocking conditions.
It wasn’t even available on
It wasn’t even available on youtube in the states. Also, the truly odd assortment of trade and national kit is hilarious
From my warm armchair with a
From my warm armchair with a glass of wine in my hand I could see little reason why Team GB shouldn’t have won.. Blah de blah.. 😀
The brits should be used to
The brits should be used to the rain, but oh i 4 got most of them live abroad and not used to our weather