Spain aims for World Championship medals with broad selection: Bilbao, Mas, debutants Ayuso and Castrillo in Zürich
CyclingFriday, 20 September 2024 at 14:21
The World Cycling Championships in Zürich are fast approaching, and more and more countries are announcing their selections. Spain is one of them: while the team leader is yet to be decided, the squad is not to be underestimated.
The Spanish selection is filled to the brim with dangerous outsiders for the world title. Enric Mas (Movistar Team), Carlos Rodriguez (INEOS Grenadiers) and Mikel Landa (Soudal Quick-Step) have proven their form in grand tours earlier this year, and they will be at the start in Switzerland. Pello Bilbao will also take part. The Bahrain Victorious climber showed he was in excellent shape on Sunday, finishing second at the GP Montréal, right behind the unbeatable Tadej Pogacar. Juan Ayuso (UAE Team Emirates) will make his debut at the World Championships in Zürich, after missing last year's event due to fatigue.
And what about Pablo Castrillo? The Equipo Kern Pharma rider was the revelation of the recent Vuelta a España, where he won two stages. His performance on the punishing Cuitu Negru was particularly impressive: on the brutally steep slopes, he sensationally overcame Aleksandr Vlasov (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe) and Pavel Sivakov (UAE Team Emirates). The rest of the Spanish team will be filled with strong punchers Roger Adriá (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe) and Alex Aranburu (Movistar Team).
Read more below the photo.
Pablo castrillo
Time trial: De La Cruz and García Pierna take the stage
While Spain has a solid chance for medals in the road race, the time trial looks more challenging. For this, Spain has chosen two riders who will not compete in the road race: in the 46-kilometer race against the clock, Spain will be represented by Raúl García Pierna (Arkéa-B&B Hotels) and national time trial champion David de la Cruz (Q36.5 Pro Cycling).
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Latest Comments
- Van Aert is really handsome. He can influence me all day! Ditto for Philipsen. Why do you think many of us love cycling?: to see heroic attempts at climbing mountains at high altitudes or to watch speedsters sprint for the finish line or to watch a human being ride at break neck speed down a tricky descent? No, it's all about their lean physiques and muscular legs. (apologies for objectifying these dedicated and amazing athletes).BarwonHeadsUp25-10-2024
- It is unfortunate that the author can't feel the joy that Pogacar brings to the sport and his fans who are legion and I for one feel lucky to have watched such a memorable performance and historic season From the Strada until yesterday with multiple wins in stages in both tours and beyond dominance in the World's. He is proud to wear the Rainbow stripes, shows his leadership to protect his fellows and is as courteous and sportsman-like as the sport allows. He goes early to not have to respond to each attack as all the rest would make him do it. Any racer who could would do the same. Don't "grow tired" of greatness as it is always fleeting.ccrider13-10-2024
- What load of rubbish. Pog is likely a once in a generation cyclist, the like of which hasn't been seen since 'the Cannibal '. How many people were complaining that Merckx was making racing predictable? I remember this year's World RR as one of the most exciting I've watched. Mainly BECAUSE Pog was the favourite and launched what everyone thought (Pog included) was a suicidal attack with 80km to go. For the next 2 hours, I was on the edge of my seat thinking "this is too much, even for Pog". Maybe Zonnefeld prefers the snooze-fest that is a bunch sprint? Like most people I know, I can't watch two hours of the bunch riding very fast... I wait for the final 5km and watch just the sprint. In any event, most races are won from a sprint or lone break. What difference does it make who makes the lone break? Ultimately, the other contenders will have to figure out a way to beat Pog. Even if that means collaboration between teams. It's going to be an exciting few seasons, until the next Pog arrives on the scene. If this is boring, heaven knows what exciting looks like!Michael513-10-2024
- This is not a gravel race. UCI fail, from the surface they are on to team tactics. In what country was the first "gravel race" in what country is the most popular gravel race? Go with the race model that created the discipline.
Barnes127411-10-2024 - And don't forget he has now won 4 of the big 10 races (Grand tours, Monuments and WC/OG) in one year with a chance to make that 5. (5 has only been done once before)Joostmehrtens05-10-2024