longslowdistance
Posts:2886
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| 05/04/2014 07:02 PM |
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The NCAA championships just finished on the upcoming worlds course,
minus one very sharp climb on the return leg the pros will see next
year. The race ran very, very well, and there were no major traffic
problems despite multiple events going on near the course. This bodes
well for a smooth race next year. The course was well received by the
racers. The men finished in small groups, a testament sharp climbs (one
cobbled) and technical corners. A course that favors Canc or Gilbert or a
similar very, very strong hard man.  |
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Orange Crush
Posts:4499
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| 05/04/2014 08:18 PM |
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Are those technically cobbles (kasseien)? They look like what I know as "klinkers" (paving stone?), much easier to ride.
But yeah it sounds like a very nice course. |
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longslowdistance
Posts:2886
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| 05/04/2014 08:21 PM |
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I'm no expert on the lexicon of pavers vs. cobbles vs. streambeds. The UCI calls them cobbles. Certainly not Paris Roubaix, but looks like the surfaces I see on TV in the other spring classics. The other side of the course has about 2-3 miles of pavers.
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Orange Crush
Posts:4499
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| 05/04/2014 08:49 PM |
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You'd certainly be seeing a lot of pavers in Belgium and Netherlands, much more common than cobbles and still being used, but climbs like Muur are true cobbles with irregular rounded shape.
Gerrie Kneteman's job before he became cyclist |
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longslowdistance
Posts:2886
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| 05/04/2014 09:39 PM |
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| I can say this: on the rough ride scale from 0 = glass smooth to 10 = nastiest PR pave, this would be in the maybe a 3 or 4. NO one was standing - too rough, back wheel would bounce around and spin. |
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Orange Crush
Posts:4499
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| 05/04/2014 10:16 PM |
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| Apparently their closest Euro relative are the type of cobbles you find on Champs in Paris where they do final sprint of TdF. Not quite like Flemish or Roubaix cobbles for specialists but it'll be pretty interesting nonetheless. Some Belgians are grumbling that UCI made them get rid of their cobbles a few worlds back. |
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Orange Crush
Posts:4499
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| 05/04/2014 10:41 PM |
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And here, finally found what I was looking for, the proper word, not a paver, not cobbles, a sett.
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sett_(paving) |
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jrt1045
Posts:363
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| 05/05/2014 01:18 PM |
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| LSD, do you think the course will be tough enough for worlds? Considered Collegiate Nationals just below a regional level Pro 1-2 affair from my experience - big difference when the real men (and women) race |
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longslowdistance
Posts:2886
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| 05/05/2014 02:14 PM |
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With the added hill and 16 laps, yes.
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Keith Richards
Posts:781
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| 05/05/2014 03:00 PM |
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| Riders make the event anyways. Unless it is dead flat like Zolder, I expect the course to be plenty selective. |
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| -----
It is his word versus ours. We like our word. We like where we stand and we like our credibility."--Lance Armstrong. |
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Orange Crush
Posts:4499
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| 05/05/2014 03:09 PM |
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| Perfect for a Degenkolb type rider who can bring a strong team. |
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longslowdistance
Posts:2886
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| 05/05/2014 05:26 PM |
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Correction: I just read in a link in the Boston Herald that the race will start out of the city, 60 miles, then 10 laps. That will make it easier, but I still think the course is worthy and an explosive, powerful rider like Gilbert who can pop away on a short climb and hold it for a couple of minutes will love this course.
http://bostonherald.com/sports/college/other_college/2014/05/cycling_test_draws_rave_reviews_in_richmond?utm_content=buffer857b9&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer |
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longslowdistance
Posts:2886
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| 05/06/2014 09:52 PM |
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cobbles, pavers, you tell me: |
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