A race with lots of history in the MG World, but this will be only the second year that it will be run as a TTT event.
Not only did the winners of last year's event went on to gain Pro Tour promotion, but so did the team in second place. Is winning here a sign you are up to great things at the end of the season? This year's winner will surely hope they will keep it that way.
Riders of Rohan
78
77
77
76
76
76
76
75
SEE Turtles
78
77
77
77
77
74
74
74
Philips - Hero
81
78
76
75
75
74
72
69
Tryg - Eni
77
76
75
75
75
74
73
72
Gjensidige Pro Cycling Team
81
79
76
76
74
72
72
72
IESE ProCycling Team
78
77
76
75
74
74
72
72
Zwift - Newton Foundation
79
79
75
75
74
73
71
70
Lotto-Caloi
79
77
76
74
73
73
73
72
JEWA TIROL
79
76
74
73
73
72
69
69
Simba Cement - Tanga Fresh
77
76
76
74
74
70
68
66
Euskotren - Pays Basque
78
75
75
73
72
69
66
61
Lierse SK - Pizza Ullo PCTeam
77
77
77
76
71
69
66
64
Tafjord Kraft
78
75
73
70
69
69
67
65
Bianchi Enel
78
75
72
68
68
68
67
58
Sauber Petronas Racing
78
75
75
75
63
62
61
52
Air New Zealand-Prada
69
68
67
67
63
61
58
50
Bjerg and Zmorka do give their teams the right to brag about the strongest time - trialist in the race. But this is a TTT event and while both teams also have good depth, there are a couple of other teams that can't be ignored when it comes to depth across all 8 riders.
SEE Turtles look like a very well all-rounded team, but they don't have anyone in their line-ups to really flash before your eyes.
Riders of Rohan also don't have anyone you would put all your life's savings to win a ITT, but their depth is just incredible. Their worst guy could easily be in the better half of riders for most teams that have entered the race this year. If this will turn into a depth contest there's no one to look at but Riders of Rohan.
A few more teams that can not be disconsidered when it comes to the fight for the top places are: Tryg - Eni, IESE ProCycling Team, Zwift - Newton Foundation, Lotto-Caloi. All of them could easily be on the podium or even win on their day.
Simba Cement - Tanga Fresh were third last year, but it doesn't look like they will be anywhere near close to that this year looking at the startlist.
My final decision in planning was whether to spend my last 2 RDs on this or on an additional C2 race beyond the minimum quota. I went with the latter, and given that I'm fairly sure we would've beaten Air New Zealand for the final spot to gain 5 points, but definitely not more, that will be the measuring stick for that C2 race to see if it was the right call
Wild to see a CT team as a Top 3 favorite, would love to see them win it. But I think it's tough to look past Riders of Rohan here, unless Zmorka or Bjerg put their teams on their back. Good luck everyone!
