The Event
The Under 23 men’s time trial, a race with a rich history of producing top roleurs of the future since its inception in 1996. Past winners include Lars Boom (2007), Adriano Malori (2008), Jack Bobridge (2009), and Taylor Phinney (2010).
The Route
One ‘long lap’ of the course, seen to the bottom right of the profile there. Like all of the time trial courses, it runs past Lake Nordåsvannet. All of the circuits also start by Grieghallen, turning left to pass through the city centre with Christies Gate, Musehagen before turning out of the City over the bridge, where after about a kilometre the riders will pass Michael Khrons Gate, turn right, and then pass the first checkpoint before a run down to the Paradis area.
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They will take a u-turn and then all riders, except the junior women, will ride up the Birkelundsbakken, a sharp climb that averages 7.2% and tops out at 9%, lasting 1.4km. They technically descend afterwards, although there is a small climb up to Arstad, before they hit flat roads once again in Bergen.
Past Kong Oscars Gate, the finish is approaching and matters begin to become more technical, as the 700 metres stretch from Kong Oskarsgate (Kong Oscar Street) to halfway down Øvregaten (High Street) is cobbled. There are then a succession of curved corners that constantly turn, before a complete hairpin.
There is only one bend that the organisers list as ‘tight’, but the riders will be constantly turning before the finish.
The Rider
Will have excellent bike handling skills and good climbing ability over a very challenging course.
The Contenders
The European Continental Championship time trial could provide a good guide. Kasper Asgreen beat Mikkel Bjerg by just two seconds there with Corentin Eremanuelt taking bronze, 23 seconds off Asgreen’s time, with Edoardo Affini.
Brandon McNulty took the American National title when Neilson Powless (who took that road race title a day or two later) was 22 seconds behind and both should be big contenders. The two of them showed their prodigious talents by finishing third and fourth in the actual Elite Men’s national time trials too.
Frenchman Remi Cavagana hasn’t raced on the time trial bike for a long time but he was fifth in the time trial at the Baloise Belgium Tour in May against quality contenders. British champion Scott Davies trashed his field by 49 seconds and should go well for Team GB.
German champion Patrick Haller will also be hoping to shoot for the medals.
