Cancellara confirmed to start TT and road race at worlds
Four-time world champion will start in Florence against the strongest TT field in years
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There is a real dogfight brewing for the world time trial championship later this month in Italy.
With Olympic champion Bradley Wiggins (Sky), two-time defending world champion Tony Martin (Omega Pharma-Quick Step), and 2012 silver medalist Taylor Phinney (BMC Racing) all lining up, the flat, 58-kilometer power course should see one of the most exciting time trial showdowns in years.
Add Fabian Cancellara’s name to the list of favorites.
Swiss cycling federation officials confirmed on Wednesday that Cancellara (RadioShack-Leopard) would race the individual time trial race on September 25 as well as the road race on September 29.
During this month’s Vuelta a España, Cancellara still had doubts about whether he would race the time trial. His singular passion is to win the road race world title, but after a strong showing at the Vuelta, including an impressive win against Martin in a hilly, 38km time trial, Cancellara changed his mind.
The Swiss is a four-time world TT champion (2006-07, 2009-10), but has stepped back his focus on time trials to target the one-day spring classics.
After winning both the Ronde van Vlaanderen (Tour of Flanders) and Paris-Roubaix, “Spartacus” skipped the Tour de France this year, and returned to top form at the Vuelta. In addition to riding for eventual winner Chris Horner at RadioShack, he came close to winning a road stage, with third at Cáceres and fifth at Burgos.
The Swiss squad will bring its strongest lineup in years for the road race.
Joining Cancellara for the road race will be Michael Albasini (Orica-GreenEdge), Martin Elmiger (IAM Cycling), Mathias Frank (BMC Racing), Gregory Rast (RadioShack), Sebastian Reichenbach (IAM Cycling), Michael Schär (BMC Racing), Danilo Wyss (BMC Racing), and Oliver Zaugg (Saxo-Tinkoff). Reto Hollenstein (IAM Cycling) will be Switzerland’s other TT rider.