The world's best sprinters and time triallists will descend on Doha, Qatar, between October 9-16 for the 2016 UCI Road World Championships - the first to be held in the Middle East.
The virtually pan flat road race courses will provide a good opportunity for the fast men to contest a sprint finish for the first time since Mark Cavendish won in 2011, and the Manxman is again the favourite to win the men's race.
Lizzie Deignan will face a tough challenge to defend the title she won in Richmond last year on a course that doesn't entirely suit her skill-set, with the women's race almost entirely contested on the downtown finishing circuit in Doha.
Olympic champion Fabian Cancellara will not be targetting a fourth time trial world title in his final season, writing off the Doha championships. The flat course on the Pearl Qatar island could suit the likes of Tom Dumoulin (Netherlands), Tony Martin (Germany) and Rohan Dennis (Australia) taking excellent form into the event.
Hannah Barnes and Hayley Simmonds will compete for Great Britain in the women's time trial, while Alex Dowsett looks set to race the men's event alongside one of Geraint Thomas and Steve Cummings.
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
-
-
Snapped cranks, motorbikes and decade-old handlebars - breaking sprinting's oldest world record
Jeffrey Hoogland is going after the longest-standing record in track cycling
-
Best fenders - mudguards - for gravel bikes 2023: top models we recommend
Want to extend the life of your components and ride in greater comfort? We’ve rounded up the best fenders / mudguards to protect both you and your gravel bike
-
Annemiek van Vleuten to target Vuelta-Tour-Giro treble again next season
The Dutchwoman plans to retire at the end of 2023
-
11 of the best photos from the 2022 Road World Championships
There were tears, hugs and kisses in Wollongong, Australia
-
Remco Evenepoel goes long to win the men's World Championships road race solo after stinging attack
The young Belgian was clearly the strongest on the day, but others need to ask themselves how and why they let him go
-
Annemiek van Vleuten soars to victory in World Championships road race despite broken elbow
The Dutch rider took the second road world title of her career with late attack
-
Zoe Bäckstedt retains junior road race title with stunning solo ride at World Championships
The Welsh rider celebrated her 18th birthday with a 58km solo attack and another rainbow jersey
-
Julian Alaphilippe says he is 'not the sole leader' for France in the World Championships road race
The Frenchman played down his form in an interview with L'Équipe
-
Tobias Foss shocks the favourites to win World Championships time trial
The Norwegian claimed the biggest win of his career, while Filippo Ganna finished in seventh
-
Ellen van Dijk claims third time trial title at World Championships
The Dutchwoman won by almost 13 seconds ahead of Grace Brown
