The top 10 countries on the UCI rankings as of 15 August get permission to have up to nine riders in the World Championship road race and a large team can be a real help towards a rider in the race, so long as the team is able to offer support and isn’t made up of lightweights imported to fill the quota. Here’s the relevant rule:
The 10 first countries in world classification by nation on 15 August 2010: each country may enter 14 riders, with 9 to start. However, a nation with fewer than 9 riders classified in the individual world ranking on 15 August 2010 shall start the number of riders that are classified. A nation with fewer than 6 riders classified in the world ranking will, nonetheless, start 6 riders
If that’s too complicated it’s just saying any country relying too much on a single rider for a high position in the rankings can’t always count on nine riders but can bring a minimum of six.
Whilst the deadline is the 15 August, there is not a lot of racing over the next two weeks, bar the Classica San Sebastian, the Tour of Poland and the Vattenfall Cyclassics. Here’s the top-15:
1 SPAIN ESP 1,528
2 ITALY ITA 856
3 BELGIUM BEL 849
4 AUSTRALIA AUS 723
5 UNITED STATES USA 568
6 RUSSIA RUS 423
7 LUXEMBOURG LUX 398
8 SWITZERLAND SUI 355
9 GERMANY GER 343
10 KAZAKHSTAN KAZ 340
11 FRANCE FRA 311
12 NETHERLANDS NED 303
13 SLOVENIA SLO 294
14 GREAT BRITAIN GBR 255
15 CANADA CAN 195
In short, the French and Dutch selectors will be hoping for a result in the coming weeks in order to overhaul the Kazakhs. Not easy, as you can see Vino enjoying a race like San Sebastian.
Note the Australian’s can count on a full contingent at home inVictoria. At the same time, you wonder who the Swiss and especially Luxembourg will field.
Interesting that GB are down in 14th. Bet Brailsford was relying on a good showing from Wiggins at the Tour to ensure a full 9 riders for Cavendish's World Championship leadout. Wonder is Sky will be sending a strong showing of GB riders to remain point-scoring opportunities in the hope of moving up the rankings.
Interesting Alex, you confirm yesterday's point on the conflict of interest, Brailsford using the Sky riders to help support an HTC rider for his once-a-year moment in the British colours.
For what it's worth, the circuit in Victoria is hard and poses a real test to any sprinter. Getting over the hill so many times won't be easy. I see Pozzato, Gilbert over Cavendish and other sprint specialists.
Even if Cavendish survives the hills, controlling the race will be very hard, you'd need a nine man train but no single nation has enough fire power for this. Italy managed this in Zolder for Cipollini but the circuit was much flatter. The 2011 Worlds in Denmark will suit the sprinters more.