2020 World Championships TT Race Preview
The details of this year's 2020 World Championships TT are falling into place. Find the latest route profiles and maps below, followed by our strategic preview of the race.
The eyes of the cycling world turn to Imola, Italy, for what promises to be one of the most compelling individual time trial showdowns in recent memory. The Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari circuit and its surrounding roads provide a parcours that will test the very best specialists in the world, with enough elevation change to ensure that pure aerodynamic efficiency alone will not be sufficient to claim the rainbow jersey.
The course is far from the flat, power-meter-friendly routes that pure rouleurs tend to favour. The Italian terrain introduces a series of meaningful climbs and technical descents that will demand riders capable of producing exceptional watts while also handling their machines with confidence and skill at speed. This is a course that appears to favour the complete time trialist, someone with the engine of a classics rider combined with the position and pacing intelligence of a true specialist against the clock.
Rohan Dennis arrives as perhaps the most dangerous contender on paper. The Australian has been ruthlessly dominant in recent years and his ability to sustain enormous power outputs over extended efforts makes him the man to beat. His form and commitment to the discipline are beyond question, and on a course with this kind of profile, his climbing ability gives him an additional edge over flatter specialists.
Filippo Ganna will carry enormous expectation as the race takes place on home roads. The Italian is a phenomenon, a rider who combines a massive physical frame with remarkable technical refinement on the bike. The crowd support alone could prove intoxicating, but Ganna needs no extra motivation given his extraordinary recent form on the track and road alike.
Tom Dumoulin, if fully returned to his best after a long injury absence, represents a wildcard of the highest calibre. When healthy, the Dutchman is arguably the finest all-round time trialist of his generation, capable of climbing and turning enormous gears on flat roads simultaneously. Questions around his match sharpness remain, but his class is undeniable.
Stefan Kung and Kasper Asgreen will both be looking to announce themselves at the very highest level, while defending champion Mads Pedersen will be hoping his powerful and versatile riding style translates to the clock format. The start list is deep and the margins between the top finishers are likely to be agonisingly thin.
With conditions typically unpredictable in northern Italy in late September, the draw order and weather could play decisive roles. Every second will matter on roads that respect no reputations.
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