On the 11th of September we have got the time-trial event at the European Championships, in Heusden-Zolder (Belgium). It is one of the most important of the season and we will have some of the biggest specialists in the discipline competing for the European stripes. We preview the men's time-trial event.
The route will be 31.1 kilometers long and will be raced by both men and women alike. The course starts in the city of Heusden-Zolder and finishes in Hasselt; with only 62 climbing meters all throughout the course which is made for the time-trialing specialists. There will be no climbing whatsoever.
The profile is completely flat and simultaneously it may be exposed to the wind. The riders start off in the famous Belgian race track before heading out into the countryside where there will be large straight roads and exposed sections. Eventually, the riders make it into Hasselt for the final kilometers that have a few corners where seconds can be won or lost; before reaching the finish line.
The Weather
Small chances of rain throughout the afternoon will be a threatening idea to keep in mind. They are small, but the chance of it falling from the sky can completely change the outlook of the time-trial. Furthermore, the riders will tackle strong western wind. In the middle section of the time-trial there will be a long straight with a block headwind and another with a cross-tailwind.
The Favourites
Switzerland - The main favourites for the title, I reckon. This isn't a team event but Stefan Küng is in my eyes the big favourite to take the win. Often the rider who hits the post, here he will not have the competition of the likes of Remco Evenepoel, Filippo Ganna, Joshua Tarling... The big specialists are out of the picture and if he rides at the same level that he had this Sunday winning the final Vuelta TT then the win is almost certain. Stefan Bissegger, former title holder and recently third at the Renewi Tour TT is also a strong outsider as long as he doesn't have a bad day (which sometimes is the case).
Italy - The Italians do not have Ganna onboard but have two riders who fill in the spot quite well. Mattia Cattaneo is on stupendous form just out of the Vuelta a España and has just finished third in the final time-trial of the race, only behind Primoz Roglic and Küng himself. He is a strong number 2. Edoardo Affini on his best day can also contest for the win; he will be an outsider but you can't truly count the Visma rider out.
Denmark - Not as strong as in the past few years but the Danes still pack a punch against the clock. Mikkel Bjerg has not yet won this season but he is a force to be reckoned with in the flat time-trials; whilst Kasper Asgreen can also eye the podium if he finds his best level.
Victor Campenaerts will lead the home team's ambitions after having strong time-trials at the Tour de France and Vuelta a España; Norwegian Soren Waerenskjold will be an interesting outsider taking into consideration his pre-Tour form and his dominant performance at the recent Tour Poitou - Charentes... Germany has Nils Politt and Max Walscheid as two powerhouses to tackle a suiting route; the Netherlands have Daan Hoole and Thymen Arensman and Portugal also have an interesting outsider in Ivo Oliveira.
Prediction 2024 European Championships Time-Trial Men:
*** Stefan Küng
** Mattia Cattaneo, Stefan Bissegger, Victor Campenaerts
* Mikkel Bjerg, Edoardo Affini, Nils Politt, Daan Hoole, Soren Waerenskjold, Ivo Oliveira
Pick: Stefan Küng
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