A week of world-class road racing, only let down by poor television coverage
Peter Sagan’s victory on Sunday and the thrilling elite men’s road race was a perfect finale to a great week of racing at the World Championships in Richmond.
Each race was world class and exciting thanks to some impressive performances, aggressive tactics and a finally balanced course.
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The 16km road race circuit was not packed with climbs; with some nations expecting or hoping for an easy race decided by a big group sprint finish. However the three climbs of Libby Hill, 23rd Street and Governors Street all came in the final five kilometres of the circuit, with little time to recover between them. Each climb was also different with the cobbles of Libby Hill stringing out the riders before the steep cobbled ramp up 23rd Street. A fast descent followed by Governors Street offered a final test of strength and fitness before the long finishing straight.
In theory the course suited many different riders, inspiring so many to believe they had a chance of victory. This lead to an aggressive race, with riders and nations using different and contrasting tactics. It was a perfect course for a world championships.
Perhaps the only disappointing aspect of this year’s World Championships was the poor television coverage of the racing.
The UCI opted not to broadcast the Junior races live, presumably to save money, images were often disturbed and the director and camera crews missed key moments of the race, including the sprint for second and third place behind Peter Sagan. The idea of holding the podium ceremony indoors meant it was anodyne, with the fans unable to cheer the riders on the podium.
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