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The UCI Road World Championships are one of the most significant events on the cycling calendar. The championships take place every year, with the best male and female riders competing for the illustrious gold medals that are on offer.
This year’s event looks set to be one of the most exciting in recent years, as it will be held in the scenic Australian location of Wollongong. The area in New South Wales will welcome the leading stars in cycling in the middle of September, as the action gets underway on September 18, and will be concluded on September 25.
Australian cyclist Michael Matthews came in third bringing a bronze medal home. This is the third time he has been on the podium with a bronze in 2017 and a silver in 2015. He is a real source of Aussie pride as he was the Tour de France Green Jersey winner in 2017.
Remco Evenepoel is the winner and will be wearing that coveted jersey for the next year. His solo attack was just outstanding. He was the junior rainbow winner in 2018 for both the road race and the time trial. He is certainly someone to watch.
This is the first time someone has one the men's world road race and a Grand Tour since 1980. that was Bernand Hainault. It is also the first time a male rider has won the junior and elite road race since Greg LeMonde.
Grace Brown has got Australia off to a brilliant start with a silver medal in the women's time trial. It was the best performance of her career as she completed the race in 44.41.33. Fellow Australian Georgia Baker came in eighth. Dutch cyclist Ellen van Dijk won gold.
In the men's time trial a shock win for Norweigian Tobias Foss blew the favourites out of the water. Australian Lucas Plapp came in 12th.
The UCI Road World Championships are the annual world championships for road racing in cycling. It offers one of the most prestigious medals available to athletes, with many stars involved in the competition also likely to have raced in either the Tour De France or the Commonwealth Games earlier this year. One of the big differences between the World Championships compared to the Tour De France is that teams compete by nation and not trade teams, which is common in many of the other major road races that take place throughout the season.
The UCI Road World Championships have been around since 1921, and they take place annually. There are three main events that take place during the competition- road race, individual time trial, and the mixed team relay. The winner of each competition is able to wear the rainbow jersey in the event that they win gold for the next year, which adds to the prestige of drivers wanting to win the top prize.
The UCI Road World Championships have taken place annually since 1921, with the exception of the years between 1939 and 1945 due to the Second World War. Copenhagen was the first host, while Australia hosts the event for just the second time in the event’s history this year. The most successful nation in the history of the competition is Italy, as the nation has won 54 golds, 47 silvers, and 43 bronze medals. They are the only nation to have won more than 100 medals at the World Championships. Belgium is the second most successful nation with 99 medals overall, while the Netherlands and France sit third and fourth in the overall medal table.
The 2021 UCI Road World Championships were held in Belgium, as Flanders had hosting responsibilities. The men’s road race was won by French star Julian Alaphillipe, with the time trial being won by Italian rider Filippo Ganna. There was even more Italian success in the women’s road race, with Elisa Balsamo winning gold. The women’s time trial was won by Ellen van Dijk for the Netherlands. Meanwhile, the mixed relay event was won by Germany, with the Netherlands finishing second and Italy back in third.
The UCI Road World Championships take place annually, which means that it is common for cyclists involved to compete in both this event and other Grand Tour events. This year’s event will be the second time that it has been held in Australia, with Wollongong having hosting responsibilities for the very first time. The dates for the competition have already been announced, with the elite men competing in the time trial on September 18. On that same date, the elite women will also compete over a 34.2km distance.
The road race for the men takes place on September 25, with the race starting in Helensburgh, and the finish is in Wollongong. The women’s road race takes place on September 24, with the start and finish points being in the same locations. Meanwhile, one of the most exciting additions will take place on September 21, as the Mixed Relay will be contested over 28.2km.
The UCI Road World Championships are incredibly important on the cycling calendar, as it is the event where the world champions in the sport are crowned. If there is one event that the top riders need to be at the very peak of their powers, then this is it.
Lucrative prizes are handed out to the winning riders, as they will be able to wear the illustrious rainbow vest for the next 12 months. Meanwhile, a solid campaign could also see riders ensure extra sponsorship so that they can compete in events around the world over the following 12 months.
The main favourite in the betting to win the men’s road race this year is Wout van Aert. The Belgian rider has won nine classifications at the Tour De France and was the national champion in Cyclo Cross on five occasions. Never overlook Tadej Pogacar. He is in great form.
However, Julian Alaphilippe may not be willing to let his hold on the Rainbow Jersey go just yet, as the Frenchman has won the men’s road race in each of the previous two editions. Mathieu van der Poel looks to be another main danger, as he comes into the one-day event fresh after bypassing the Vuelta a Espana. Could we see a win from the Vuelta winner Remco Evenepoel? Winning a Grand Tour certainly makes you a favourite. So maybe the Aussie winner of the Giro Jai Hindley could make Australia proud.
With Hindley having a great season let's examine other Aussie hopefuls. Another Australian contender in their home UCI World Championships comes in the form of Michael Matthews. The 31-year-old won a points classification at the 2017 Tour de France, and has also won two stages at the Giro d’Italia. However, his form coming into the event this year is much weaker than many of the other leading contenders. But, home advantage could count for a lot, as he bids to send Aussie fans home happy with a big race win.
The women are in outstanding form after a great performance at the Commonwealth Games. Georgia Baker is a contender as she was first past the post in the team race at the Games. Sarah Roy who finished third could place highly in the event. Grace Brown who won the Commonwealth Gold for the time trial is hotly tipped to do well.
All of the leading betting sites for cycling enable bets to be made on the huge event. One of the most popular markets will be to bet on the outright winners of the gold medals in the events throughout the championships. In-play betting markets will also be available with the leading sites, which means finding the right time to find value in your selection will be key.
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