Who will be on top of the World? (Women)

Who will be on top of the World?

After the end of La Vuelta, the Worlds are approaching rapidly. We're going Down Under this time and will see a race on a parcours with many possible race scenarios. No matter, the outcome, the winner can enjoy the most prestigious jersey in the worlds and will be spending the coming the 11 months in it. In the women's race we can expect a few countries who can control the race more or less but right behind them there are many other countries with all diferent kind of intentions, what might lead to a chaotic and exciting race. Who are the favourites and wich nations have the strongest squad to back their leaders? An overview of every nation's chances or the mens' race.

Australia

The home nation will definitly be motivated to go for succes on home soil. The Worlds go down under onnly every 10-15 years so this is an opportunity that nobody wants to miss. The Australians deliver a competitive team for the Worlds. Grace Brown often chooses the right moment and when she's on her own, only few riders are able to take her back. Alexandra Manly, one of the revelations of 2022 is also a rider to keep an eye on. 

Belgium

For Belgium all eyes will be exclusively on Lotte Kopecky. The parcours is very challenging so in the last couple of rounds she'll probably only have Valerie Demey with her to help her still a bit in the deep final. Just like in the previous championships, her chances to sprint for gold will largely depend on the race scenario. If it comes down to a group sprint, then the Tour of Flanders winner has a big chance to conclude her season with her first rainbowjersey on the road. 

  

Austria

The Austrians line-up with 4 riders. Anna Kiesenhofer is as Olympic Champion problably the most famous of them all. I don't expect her to take the world title too but another long rage attack might make some favourites nervous again. Her long solo attack in La Vuelta showed that she's still able to get far if the peloton lets her go.  The Schweinberger sisters have their qualities too but I think that the laps might be a little too hard for them to make it to the final.

Denmark

Denmark has 2 cards to play on the Worlds. They can choose for the offense with Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig and they could go for a sprint finish with Emma Norsgaard. The Danes have only 4 riders at the start including their 2 leaders so the tactics they will choose will largely depend on what the other countries will choose. Two cards two play so no matter which scenario occurs, they always know what to do.

France

The French line-up with 7 decent riders but without a top favourite. They have a young team that can test themselves on this level and probably can get very far. I don't expect them to play a big role in the final km's anymore but don't be suprised if you see many riders of the dark blue squad entering the final rounds. Especially Juliette Labous should be able to handle the hills well.

Poland

Kasia Niewiadoma will be the clear leader of the Polish team. Till deep in the lines she will problably be able to rely on decent team mates like Marta Lach or Karolina Kumiega. But in the final she'll problably have to do it on our own. Agnieszka Skalniak-Sojka has been dominating the continental circuits as well so it will be very interesting to see how far she can get in her first race between the World Tour top riders this season. Perhaps she might be the one to assist her leader when the peloton enters the last round.

Germany

The German eyes will problably be looking towards Liane Lippert. I don't expect her to race for the medals already this year but she might  secure a top 10 spot. Mieke Kröger & Romy Kasper are the experienced road captains in the squad while Ricarda Bauernfeld might target the U23 World title after an excellent season in many smaller races. 

United Kingdom

The UK starts with a quite young team in Australia. For Anna Henderson & Pfeifer Georgi this Worldchampionship can be a good opportnity to ride for themselves amongst the world elite. For the last one, the U23 world title could be a nice reward after a strong race as well.

Italy

The Azurri will again take part with a dream team. They could play many cards but be sure that the Italians will have a well thought strategy before the race even has started. Defending Worldchampion Elisa Balsamo could try to extend her world title in a group sprint but I expect the hills even to be too hard for her. She'll need an excellent day herself and a strong team to keep the group together like last year. The Italians can also rely on riders like Elisa Longo Borghini, Marta Bastianelli and Silvia Perisco who can have a decisive role in the final of the race. For the Italian team form of the day will be the crucial factor. One of the few teams who's really able to control the race.

 

Netherlands

Holland's biggest challenge will be to come with a clear strategy before the race. On the Euros the team could unite themselves behind Wiebes but now with many riders who are able to win again, the main question will be who want to ride for one another in times of troubles. They certainly can't let it be this time. Vos, Van Vleuten, Van Dijk en Vollering all have a chance to take the rainbow stripes. Will Van Vleuten just go ahead of everyone else to prevent any strategies to play a role? But can she handle it on the many flat sections between the climbs? Circumstances will tell, and the Dutch will have to adjust to them.

United States

The Americans line-up with a decent line-up but without a clear leader to lead the squad. Kristen Faulkner, Veronica Ewers, Lauren Stephens and Leah Thomas can certainly get very far into the race but I don't expect them to compete for the medals. They miss an outstanding rider like the absent Chloe Dygert was expected to be at this point. Otherwise this would have been a team that could have played a key role in the turn out of this race.