Well, as it became inevitable they weren't going to do it when they
couldn't make inroads on the break on the last couple of laps of Box
Hill, I said to Mrs UD that you could see GB's approach as negative in
that it relied on keeping the race together which isn't at all exciting
for fans though it is to be admired when it works, such as at the World's.
It's sad they've decided to blame anyone else because they fucked up by
thinking that 1) with five riders, one of whom would not be working,
they could control such a hotly contested race and 2) that everyone
else, knowing their tactics in advance, would just let them get on with
it. I feel sorry for Daid Millar who is just the kind of rider who
could have won from that break. Cavendish already has an Olympic gold -
Madison with Bradley IIRC - so yah boo sucks, come off that wheel and do
some work if you want to win :-))
For me, the first BIG lesson for Brailsford and Co. on the road - don't
get arrogant unless you have something to be arrogant about. Oh, and
here's a clue - if a break goes up the road with riders from every major
team in it send somebody along for the ride FFS. Look it up on Page 1
of Janet and John's Guide To Road Racing For Beginners.
Great race although I spent far too much time wondering whether Team GB
could do it and ignoring the other posibilities.
UD