Let’s Sum It Up
By Marina Kochetova
The Road Cycling World Championships concluded today in Montreal. From September 20 to 27, Canada hosted the world’s best road cyclists. The event brought together about a thousand men and women competing in the Elite, U23 and Junior categories, many of them from the former Soviet Union. Among the countries represented in Quebec were Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Ukraine, Russia and Belarus. Athletes from the last two countries competed solely as individual neutral athletes, without national symbols, flags or anthems.
The Russian delegation faced an unexpected obstacle: widespread flight delays and rescheduling at Vnukovo Airport prevented its cyclists from leaving for Canada on time. They had to miss the opening races of the championships, which inevitably affected their morale and their ability to adjust to the eight-hour time difference. Still, better late than never. After a series of restrictions, even taking part in a competition of this calibre is a breakthrough.
I was born and raised in a cycling family. I spent my entire childhood and youth at the velodrome, although I never took up the sport myself. But I know its finer points, from its history to competition rules, and I’ve known many cyclists personally. That is why the drama of cycling feels close to me.
Throughout the week, Montreal spectators could watch several disciplines: individual time trials, in which riders start separately and race against the clock, much like the timed kilometre on the track; road races; and the mixed team relay. Road races are generally considered the most exciting. Dozens of riders start together, but as the kilometres pass, the large peloton breaks into smaller groups. Some riders attack; others abandon before reaching the finish.
During the final two days of the week-long championships, races took place on Mount Royal, the landmark that gave Montreal its name. The colourful September weather made the experience memorable for spectators and riders alike. To the delight of Canadian fans, Isabella Holmgren won silver in the women’s U23 road race on September 24. The climax and final event was the 273-kilometre men’s elite road race, won in a surprise victory by American Brandon McNulty. Russia’s Aleksandr Vlasov finished 37th among more than a hundred riders. Two days earlier, Russian rider Alyona Mishina placed 39th in the 80.4-kilometre junior women’s road race. In no discipline did riders from the former Soviet Union come close to the podium. These days, cyclists from other countries are setting the pace.