The Elite Women's road race:
Saturday's World Championships, women's road race, in Richmond, Virginia, offers up an opportunity for Lizzie Armistead to lift the title. Armistead is race favourite, and should be well suited to this hilly test. Rain is forecast for the weekend and, whereas this makes the cycling precarious, we know that Lizzie doesn't falter in the wet. I think, with her proven ability to accelerate uphill, she has a serious chance at winning this contest.
Anyone who watched the women's ITT could not fail to be impressed by the way Anna Van Der Breggan rode those final kilometers to finish 2nd., and she too will be well fancied for this event, as will 3rd placed Lisa Brennauer. New Zealander, Linda Villumsen won the time trial, and she too is taking her chance in the road race. Villumsen would have to get clear from some way out for her to have a chance, and is currently on offer at 80/1.
As ever, I look for value for my small wager, and I think I've found that in the American rider, Megan Guarnier. At 20/1 I think this represents solid Each Way value. Megan has competed well, at a high level, for much of this year, and will have prepared well for this event. With strong team support, and a proven ability over such terrain, I think she will feature in the finish.
