Dave Brailsford dismisses Worlds predictions
Dave Brailsford, performance director at British Cycling, has said that sprinter Mark Cavendish cannot be ruled out of contention in the UCI Road World Championships race on Sunday.
Cavendish, a prolific sprinter, said earlier this week that the route chosen by the even organisers, which includes several climbs, will disfavour his riding style.
But after the men's U-23 race finished in a sprint on Friday, Brailsford said that the Manxman is still in with a chance on Sunday.
"You can't rule Cav out on this course. The climb's not long enough [to be decisive]. You've got that big, big, long straight after, which gives them time for it to come back together."
Brailsford, who also serves as British outfit Sky's general manager, told
Cyclingnews, "On a climb like that you can't get a big enough gap, so they're going to bring it back. My money's on a gallop... I think it'll be a sprint."
Sunday's race will take the riders from Melbourne to Geelong on Australia's south coast with the risk of strong winds, and the challenge posed by two climbs on the circuit that will ensue 83km into the 262km-course.
Sprinters cannot be discounted
Many commentators have observed that the sprinting specialists will struggle on the route, but Brailsford said that no rider's chances should be dismissed prior to the race.
"You see it every year - everyone says it's a rock hard course, but it's not. Well, it is - don't get me wrong - but the riders are of such quality that they can manage to hold it together," he said, adding that the outcome will be decided during the race.
"I think it's like every year...every year everyone comes to the Worlds and says 'It's a super hard course, it's not going to be this, it's too hard for that...' At the end of the day, when people ride it, they think, 'Oh, is it going to come back for a
sprint?'"
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