World championships in 13 disciplines with around 8,000 cyclists, all combined in one mega event. The first Super World Championship in cycling starts on Thursday in Glasgow and the surrounding area of Scotland. The German team is represented by almost 200 athletes and some medal hopes, especially the track aces are always good for podium places.
What’s behind the idea?
The world association UCI wants to hold cycling world games with all its disciplines every four years. From August 3rd to 13th, the world championship titles will be awarded on the road, on the track, in mountain biking and in BMX. But the competitions of indoor cyclists, trials specialists or downhillers, which are less in the spotlight, also have their stage. The para athletes are also represented on the road and on the track. The only thing missing from the program is cross-cycling, traditionally a winter discipline. The next Super World Cup has already been booked and will take place in 2027 in the French region of Haute-Savoie.
What are the highlights?
The men’s road race on August 6 is the focus, but not the usual conclusion. Instead, the event ends a week later with the women’s race. Another focus is the track cycling competitions, which start on Thursday.
Where are the competitions held?
Glasgow takes center stage, where the street races end. The track cycling competitions also take place there in the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome. But the Scottish environment is also included. The individual time trials take place in Stirling, the cross-country mountain bike events are held in Glentress Forest and the downhillers race down Fort William.
Where are the best German medal chances?
There should be numerous medals again in track cycling. The multiple world champions Lea Sophie Friedrich and Emma Hinze are among the favorites in all sprint disciplines, and the German women are also world leaders in the individual and team pursuit. On the street, the battle for medals becomes more difficult. For the men there are at most outsider chances on the classic course and in the time trial, for the women Tour stage winner Liane Lippert could get something. There are sure medals in the publicly little relevant section of indoor cycling, where Germany has dominated the world for years.
Will there be another duel between Tour champion Jonas Vingegaard and his great rival Tadej Pogacar?
No. Vingegaard will not participate in the World Cup. The classic course hardly suits him, instead the Dane concentrates on his participation in the Vuelta at the end of August. Pogacar has not yet made a final decision on whether to start the World Cup.
Who are the favorites in road racing?
It should be a race for the classic specialists like defending champion Remco Evenepoel, his Belgian compatriot Wout van Aert, the Dutchman Mathieu van der Poel or former world champion Mads Pedersen from Denmark. Pogacar, if he drives, should also be involved in winning. From a German point of view, Maximilian Schachmann, John Degenkolb or Nils Politt could most likely achieve a top placement.
What’s new in the German road team?
The longtime sprint star André Greipel has taken over the sporting direction. Born in Rostock, who ended his career at the end of 2021, he was the last German to make it onto the podium in a road race in 2011 with third place in Copenhagen. The last German victory was 57 years ago, in 1966 Rudi Altig won.
Where can the competitions be seen on TV?
As usual, Eurosport will report extensively on the title fights. During the decisive phase in the men’s World Cup road race on August 6, ZDF will also be broadcasting live.
