The time has come to pack the bags and prepare to embark on the long trip to Tuscany and the 2008 cycling world championships. My anticipation level is astronomical; I can't wait to arrive in Milan. A week of cycling saturation awaits, with the pageantry and fanfare of the world championships spread out over w full week.
Due to the uncertainty of Internet access, my posting may become sporadic over the next several days. I will attempt to update as often as possible, and ideally, daily. I am planning on riding the world's course ahead of the elite women's and men's races, in hopes of describing the experience of riding the parcours. With luck, I'll hope to snag a slew of interviews from riders past and present. I have a tentative ride scheduled with Ivan Basso, Stefano Garzelli, and Andrea Peron. Hopefully it will pan out.
Before I leave for the journey, a few thoughts about the upcoming week.
Fabian Cancellara, if motivated to do so, could be a very cheeky pick for the road title. He is coming out of the Tour of Poland, and if he has found his form could be a legitimate threat for BOTH the road and time trial gold. Fear the Sparticus.
The American team will surprise in both the road and the time trial. Leipheimer is flying coming out of the Vuelta, and he'll have great support from the youngsters on the team surrounding him. He may not get the win, but I expect that the American contingent will ride aggressively and with great pride. Ditto in the time trial, where Zabriskie and Leipheimer both have a shot at the podium.
No one is mentioning Luxembourg as a threat for the road title. The Schlecks have been quiet over the last several weeks, as has Kim Kirchin. All three have the turn of speed, tactical know how and endurance to win on the road, and I wouldn't be surprised if one of the three does.
That's it for now, and thanks for reading.
EP
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