2016 World Championship TTT Preview
By David Hunter
Doha – Doha 40km
Arguments about money threatened this event, but a compromise was found. It means we do have a race, but without a lot of the World Tour teams.
Contenders
BMC – Dennis, Kung, Oss, Phinney, Quinziato, Rosskopf.
BMC are looking to win the gold for the third consecutive year. They make one change from last season, with Rosskopf replacing Dillier. This is an incredible impressive squad and won the recent TTT in the Eneco Tour.
Star Rating *****
Etixx – Jungels, Lampaert, Tony Martin, Kittel, Terpstra, Vermote.
Once the boss in this discipline, their crown has been stolen by BMC. They were only beaten by 12 seconds in Richmond, so they’re still a major player. They have been forced to make a number of changes, with Boonen, Kwiatkowski and Uran all being replaced. They bring in Kittel, Jungels and Vermote. All of these riders are strong, but lack the experience of the men they are replacing.
Star Rating ****
Movistar – Amador, Castroviejo, Dowsett, Erviti, Oliveira, Sutterlin.
Bronze in Richmond, the Spanish squad are back and looking really strong. They have had to replace two riders, with Malori and Ion Izagirre missing out. Coming in is Erviti and Oliveira, both can do a super job in a TTT. They will be one of a few teams challenging for third place. I don’t think they have enough power for gold.
Star Rating ***
Orica – Durbridge, Edmondson, Hepburn, Impey, Matthews, Tuft.
The Aussies arrive with a big advantage over some of the other teams, they are used to riding in hot conditions. Given that the temperature is likely to be around 40 degrees, it’s a very important point. They were fourth in Richmond and replace Mouris and Bewley with Impey and Edmondson. I am fascinated by the inclusion of Edmondson, a rider in his first year as a pro. That is a massive vote of confidence for him. They are another candidate for a medal.
Star Rating ***
Sky – Kiryienka, Kwiatkowski, Roche, Swift, Thomas, Van Poppel.
A relatively strong selection from Sky, but it will take a huge ride to make the podium. Top 5. would be a decent result for them.
Star Rating ***
Jumbo – Campenaerts, Kelderman, Leezer, Roglic, Roosen, Van Emden.
Jumbo continued their TT development in 2016 and have an outside chance of making the podium. They have some strong riders and have an excellent Bianchi bike. Do not underestimated the benefits of a good bike.
Star Rating ***
Astana – Cataldo, Fuglsang, Grivko, Kangert, Lutsenko, Smukulis.
This has got an end of season feel about it. Yes, these guys can all TT, but I think that some of the motivation might already be missing.
Star Rating **
Giant – Andersen, Degenkolb, Dumoulin, Haga, Preidler, Sinkeldam.
A strong looking squad, with the exceptional talent of Dumoulin. He will have to shoulder a to of the burden, as he is a much better TT rider than the rest. The others are solid riders, but not at the top level. Giant will do well to make the top 5.
Star Rating **
Katusha – Bystrom, Kristoff, Kuznetsov, Morkov, Politt, Vorobyev.
Lots of strong riders, but they lack a top TT talent. They will be competitive and Kristoff will use this as preparation for the road race. A top 5 looks out of the reach.
Star Rating *
AG2R – Riblon, Bagdonas, Gastauer, Houle, Gougeard, Gretsch.
The French squad look like the worst of the World Tour teams. They’ll be good enough to beat the pro-coati tams, but that’s about it.
Prediction Time
BMC by around 20 seconds. I think we’ll see Etixx and Orica also on the podium.
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