{"id":3492,"date":"2022-09-17T10:21:01","date_gmt":"2022-09-17T08:21:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.welovecycling.com\/uk\/?p=3492"},"modified":"2022-09-20T10:23:05","modified_gmt":"2022-09-20T08:23:05","slug":"all-about-the-womens-peloton-at-the-2022-road-world-championships","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.welovecycling.com\/uk\/2022\/09\/17\/all-about-the-womens-peloton-at-the-2022-road-world-championships\/","title":{"rendered":"All About the Women\u2019s Peloton at The 2022 Road World Championships"},"content":{"rendered":"

The 2022 Road World Championships get underway this weekend, and we can\u2019t wait to see what kind of action-packed racing the women\u2019s peloton will pull off! Held from September 18 to 25 in Wollongong, Australia, 13 road cycling world titles will be awarded as the UCI’s pinnacle event heads Down Under for the first time in 12 years.<\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

A highlight of the UCI road season, the championships, which consist of the road race, individual time trial and mixed team relay, have been held since 1921\u2014but the women\u2019s race was only added in 1958. As they are used to having to make up for a lost time, the women have been doing us proud ever since. With a boatload of talent on display, there\u2019s no doubt all of this year\u2019s events will be hotly contested ones.<\/p>\n

Last year, Elisa Balsamo of Italy won gold in the women\u2019s elite road race, with Dutch veteran Ellen van Djik taking the top spot in the individual time-trial events. Germany, meanwhile, triumphed in the second edition of the mixed team relay, which replaced the men\u2019s and women\u2019s team time trial in 2019. So, who are the top picks for this year? Let\u2019s dive into what we can expect when things get underway on Sunday!<\/p>\n

Women\u2019s individual time trial<\/strong><\/h2>\n

On Sunday, September 18, 2022, the women will take to a technically challenging 16.8-kilometre loop twice around Wollongong’s city centre, amounting to 34.2 kilometres. The route, which is the same one the men will race, boasts about 30 corners. As such, superb bike-handling capabilities will be the name of the game here.<\/p>\n

In addition, the route isn’t completely flat. There is one small hill on each lap \u2013 Mount Ousley. With a total elevation gain of 312 metres, the rider who takes this one will have to outlast any leg fatigue and prove that beyond sheer power, they are a well-rounded racer who can combine technique and speed.<\/p>\n

Women\u2019s road race<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The Road World Championships routes for the elite women\u2019s and men\u2019s races \u2013 which will be held on September 24 and 25, respectively \u2013 are made up of two key elements: the Mount Keira Loop and the Wollongong City Circuit. Both races will complete one Mount Keira Loop before the men\u2019s peloton tackle 12 city laps in Wollongong while the women complete six.<\/p>\n

With a decidedly punchy vibe, it is worth pointing out that the women will also be tasked with climbing the punishing Mount Keira later in their race than the men\u2014with 122 km remaining. Although attacks might still be ways off, we do often see impressive long-range efforts in the women\u2019s peloton. Following this, there is indeed a chance that this could be a defining moment in the race if someone decides that their moment to act is now.<\/p>\n

Regardless, this is certainly one of the most demanding World Championships routes in recent history, and fans will get to enjoy attacking, aggressive racing, which will likely include plenty of drama.<\/p>\n

\n
\n

\ud83c\udf4a Orange fever in the streets of Wollongong! \ud83c\udf4a<\/p>\n

Love this, @ellenvdijk<\/a> @AvVleuten<\/a> @KNWU<\/a>. #Wollongong2022<\/a> https:\/\/t.co\/PKUL9xBDnG<\/a><\/p>\n

— UCI (@UCI_cycling) September 17, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n