Updates as riders battle for the world crown in YorkshireWilliam Fotheringham’s world championships previewEmail Barry here. Tweet @bglendenning 2.50pm BST 2.46pm BST The UCI have released a statement: “Due to the heavy rains experienced this morning and considering the inclement weather forecast for the rest of the day, the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) and the organising committee of the 2019 UCI Road World Championships have reviewed the conditions for this afternoon’s Women Elite Individual Time Trial race. 2.24pm BST UCI slammed by riders. Several of the riders who competed in this morning’s men’s under-23 ITT from Ripon to Harrogate have criticised the UCI for not stopping the race after heavy downpours flooded the roads on which Denmark’s Mikkel Bjerg won his third title. “It is super-dangerous and I think it is irresponsible to let it go ahead,” said Belgian Ilan Van Wilder told Het Laatste Nieuws, per Cycling Weekly. “It was no longer raining, but really pouring. You take the longest route to avoid puddles, against all time trial principles.” 2.17pm BST Well, puddles is something of an understatement. From this morning’s Men’s U-23 Individual Time Trial. Probably easier days to go riding in Yorkshire pic.twitter.com/1A5SI2ff2r #Yorkshire2019Wow. Valter was very lucky, no serious injuries for him #Yorkshire2019 pic.twitter.com/SDXXQhNu6H 2.12pm BST Up north in yonder Yorkshire is the venue for this week’s UCI 2019 Road World Championships and today’s main event is the women’s elite individual time trial. Starting in Ripon and finishing in Harrogate, today’s course is 32 kilometres in length.It is, according to the UCI, “perfectly suited to time trial specialists who can manage their efforts over this fast and open course. A flat opening 12km will get the riders up to speed before the road undulates gradually on the approach to Harrogate. The concluding Harrogate circuit will favour those who are able to push big power through their pedals before emptying the tank on the uphill drag to the finish”. Continue readingread full article
