After the Team Time Trial events that officially opened the UCI Road World Championships Doha 2016, The Pearl will see the first Individual Time Trial events today.
Riders compete individually, starting with a one-minute margin between them, and aim to complete the course as fast as they can. That’s why, in French and Spanish, this race is literally named “against the clock”.
The Individual Time Trial course at The Pearl is very challenging – pan flat, without great slopes, favourable for powerful riders. But raw strength alone won’t be enough for success. The circuit is, as the Sport Technical Director of the UCI Road World Championships Doha 2016 John Lelangue puts it, “technical, with lots of curves”. Therefore, bike-handling will be a key factor to determine who gets away with the medals and the prestigious rainbow jersey.
The day will commence at 9:30 with the Women’s Junior race, contested by 17-year-old and 18-year-old riders. It is one of the most unpredictable events of the championships, due to the performance inconsistency the young age of the riders very often cause. Last year, the USA took both gold and silver medal thanks to Chloe Dygert and Emma White, who, at age 19, are now competing at the Elite category. France’s Juliette Labous and Italy’s Lisa Morzenti are considered the main favourites for victory in this 13.7km race.
Later on, at 11:30, it will be the 19 to 22 years old male cyclists’ turn to compete in the Men’s Under 23 ITT. This is a race many cycling fans look out for, since it’s the ideal chance to identify the future champions. For the young prospects taking part, it’s their shot to prove their worth before the whole world – and against the clock.
All medallists from last year’s race will be present in Doha, with Denmark’s Mads Wurtz Schmidt defending his rainbow jersey and Germany’s talented riders Schachmann and Lennard Kamna vying to become the new champions of the world. They will have 28.9km and two laps at the The Pearl circuit at their disposal to defeat the reigning UCI Road World Champion.