Programme: setting an alarm for the World Cup in Wollongong, Van Vleuten on his bike early in the time trial | Cycling

Because the World Cup will take place on the other side of the world this year, Dutch cycling fans will have to get up early. Most races start in the middle of the night and finish early in the European morning.

Mathieu van der Poel travels to Australia on Saturday evening. He plans to stay awake during the daytime on Sunday after arrival in order to ‘beat’ his jet lag. “Then you are usually tired enough in the evening to sleep through”

On Wednesday, Van der Poel comes into action for the first time. He then participates in the mixed relay. “Annemiek van Vleuten talked about that race in my head during the Turn of the Quay criterion, and I like it myself. We have a strong squad and I think I can add something. It also gives me an incentive with an eye on Sunday’s road race.”

On Sunday 25 September, Van der Poel, who has already won the rainbow jersey four times as a cyclocross rider, hopes to win a medal for the first time during the road race of a World Cup. In 2018, in Glasgow, Scotland, he was already close to a European title. The all-rounder then finished second.

Annemiek van Vleuten

For Van Vleuten (39) the 2022 cycling season has already been more than successful, but she is also keen to end the top year in style: with gold at the World Cup. She was the best this season in Liège-Bastogne-Liège, the Giro Donne and the Tour de France Femmes. Early in the season she also won the sprint of the faster Demi Vollering in Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and recently she also won the overall victory in the Vuelta for women.

“It is special to see that you can actually be completely satisfied even before the world championships have taken place. The tournament that was sometimes the main goal. But I am no less ambitious about it, I want to go for gold in Wollongong.”

Early in action

Van Vleuten does not know how the competitors have ridden in the individual time trial at the World Cycling Championships in Wollongong, Australia. The Olympic time trial champion is the last to leave the second starting group. After her, almost all favorites, including defending champion Ellen van Dijk, come into action in the third starting group.

The women’s time trial, the opening number of the world championships, starts on Sunday morning at 1.47 am Dutch time. It is eight hours later in Wollongong. Shirin van Anrooij is the first Dutch person to hit the road, at 01:53 am. It is Van Vleuten’s turn at 02:56. Van Dijk is the last to start at 03:45. Shortly before her, it is Marlen Reusser’s turn, the Swiss who kept Van Dijk from the European title last month. The race is over a 34.2 kilometer course with two climbs along the way.

Men

After the women it is the turn of the men, also for a time trial over more than 34 kilometers. Daan Hoole (6.32 am) and Bauke Mollema start for the Netherlands. It is the turn of the Dutch champion at 08.13. Following him are the favorites Stefan Küng from Switzerland, the Slovenian Tadej Pogacar, the Belgian Remco Evenepoel and the Italian defending champion Filippo Ganna. Around 09:00, on site 17:00, it is known who will claim the title from the men.

This year’s World Cup will take place in Australia.

Ⓒ ANP/HH

Program

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 18

Individual time trial, elite women (34.2 km)

• Start: 09.35 AM (1.35 AM Dutch time)
• Finish: around 12.30 pm / around 04.30 am

Individual time trial, elite men (34.2 km)

• Start: 13:40 / 05:40
• Finish: around 5 pm / around 9 am

MONDAY 19 SEPTEMBER

Individual time trial, U23 U23 men (28.8 km)

• Start: 1.20 pm / 5.20 am
• Finish: around 5 pm / around 9 am

TUESDAY 20 SEPTEMBER

Individual time trial, junior women U19 (14.1 km)

• Start: 9:30 am / 1:30 am
• Finish: around 11.05 am / around 03.05 am

Individual time trial, junior men U19 (28.8 km)

• Start: 1.20 pm / 5.20 am
• Finish: around 5 pm / around 9 am

WEDNESDAY 21 SEPTEMBER

Mixed Relay (28,2 km)

• Start: 2.20 pm / 6.20 am
• Finish: around 5 pm / around 9 am

FRIDAY 23 SEPTEMBER

Road race, junior men U19 (135.6 km)

• Start: 08.15 am / 00.15 am
• Finish: around 11.35 am / around 03.35 am

Road race, U23 U23 men (169.8 km)

• Start: 1:00 PM / 5:00 AM
• Finish: around 5.10 pm / around 9.10 am

SATURDAY 24 SEPTEMBER

Road race, junior women U19 (67.2 km)

• Start: 08:00 / 00:00
• Finish: around 9.50 am / around 1.50 am

Road race, elite women (164.3 km)

• Start: 12.25 pm / 4.25 am
• Finish: around 5 pm / around 9 am

SUNDAY 25 SEPTEMBER

Road race, elite men (266.9 km)

• Start: 10.15 am / 02.15 am
• Finish: around 4.50 pm / around 8.50 am