2023-08-04 18:31:45
The Swiss are not among the big favorites in the Worlds road race, on the program on Sunday over 271.1 km between Edinburgh and Glasgow. But that doesn’t stop them from being ambitious.
Former runner Michael Albasini, national coach, expects “a backwards elimination race“, especially on the final circuit of 14.3 km to be covered ten times. The often narrow route is dotted with bends and small hills that are sometimes very steep.
Hirschi and Schmid in leaders
Stefan Küng, whose main objective is the time trial, will also participate in the road race. “He wants to bring his experience and power to the team“, said the national coach. The two protected riders will be Marc Hirschi and Mauro Schmid, the other four being at their service.”We will have a very strong team at the start“, emphasizes Michael Albasini. Marc Hirschi expects a lot from this race for the rainbow jersey. “He prepared specifically for this meeting, with a camp at altitude. He will be ready.“
In recent years, Switzerland has twice won bronze in the road race, with Küng in 2019 and Hirschi in 2020. What does the national coach expect on Sunday? “I am not a prophet and I do not know if we will win a medal. But our objective is clear: we want to win the race and have prepared a tactic to try to achieve this. We’ll see. Each team has its starting plan. But planning to finish 10th makes no sense.“
Evenepoel for a double
Defending champion, Belgian Remco Evenepoel (23) must be considered one of the big favorites to succeed him. The double winner of Liège – Bastogne – Liège (2022/2023) is in good shape, as he proved recently by winning the Clasica San Sebastian for the 3rd time in his career.
But the competition promises to be formidable on a route for punchers. In a very strong Belgian team already, where Wout van Aert or even Jasper Philipsen can caress the temptation to play their personal card.
Tadej Pogacar must also be considered among the candidates for victory. The Slovenian dreams of completing his impressive record with a world champion jersey, and he has the qualities required to achieve it.
Dutchman Mathieu van der Poel, too, should be comfortable on Scottish roads, as well as Dane Mads Pedersen, the 2019 world champion. France will bet on Christophe Laporte and Julian Alaphilippe, even if the latter – titled in 2020 and 2021 – no longer pedals quite at the same level.
ats/tzing
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