Edoardo Affini Voices Concerns Ahead of World Championship Time Trial: “The descent is too dangerous”
Cycling
As the cycling world prepares for the highly anticipated
World Championships Time Trial this Sunday, not all riders are thrilled with
the course. Italy’s Edoardo Affini, fresh off his victory at the European Time
Trial Championships, has expressed concerns about the safety of the 46.1km
route in Zurich.
The Visma Lease a Bike
rider was candid about the challenges awaiting him. "It's a tough course, which is obviously different from
Hasselt,” Affini shared with IDL Pro Cycling, referring to his recent success at the European
Championships. “But I'm at the start after spending three days at home in
Drenthe, so anything is possible. I'm not a favourite, but I'll do my best and
we'll see how it goes."
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The route, which takes riders from Zurich to Monchaltorf and
back, features over 400 meters of elevation gain. While the climbs aren't
overly taxing, the course’s difficulty lies in its technical aspects,
particularly the descent to Lake Zurich.
"The middle part of the course is the hardest,” Affini
explained. “You have to use your energy there, but you also can't go too fast.”
However, his biggest concern is with the descent. "In
my opinion, the descent to the lake is too dangerous. The asphalt isn't good,
and I think it should be possible to take another route. There are so many
beautiful roads in Switzerland, but well, this is the course we have to deal
with. You shouldn't take too many risks because you won't win or lose the time
trial there."
As the defending champion, Remco Evenepoel will look to hold
onto his crown, while Affini, despite his reservations, remains focused on
delivering a strong performance. The course’s layout, with its long stretches
and technical sections, promises a high-speed contest where precision will be
just as crucial as power.
The women's time trial, taking place earlier on the same
day, will see Chloe Dygert defend her title over a shorter, 29.9km route. With
scenic views of Lake Zurich, both races are expected to showcase the world's
top time trialists, though, as Affini warns, safety will be just as important
as speed.
Fin MajorCycling Journalist
Fin Major is a UK-based writer at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2024. He is the site’s main writer for FAQs and evergreen explainers and has written around 2,000 pieces for the platform. Alongside this work, he focuses on in-depth analysis and covers the biggest races on the calendar, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, providing clear context around performance trends, tactics, and key storylines.
In his reporting, Fin uses reputable data sources such as ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical context. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. Outside of writing, Fin is an active cyclist, which supports his practical understanding of the sport and its demands.
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