Last month, the Dutch squad won the first European Championships title on the Mixed Relay. Arguably, their biggest rival in Yorskhire is Germany, who finished in second in Alkmaar, but at the Worlds they will be playing their Trump cards, Tony Martin and Nils Politt. Those two replace Marco Mathis and Justin Wolf, which will inject the team with a lot of extra power, while the women – Lisa Brennauer, Lisa Klein, Mieke Kröger – are the same as in Alkmaar.
The Dutch start with Jos van Emden instead of Ramon Sinkeldam and Lucinda Brand replaces Floortje Mackaij. The other four are the European Mixed Relay Champions Riejanne Markus, Amy Pieters, Koen Bouwman and Bauke Mollema. A steady squad, but without specialists Annemiek van Vleuten, Anna van der Breggen and Dylan van Baarle (obviously, Tom Dumoulin is still recovering).
The three male riders set off first to complete the Harrogate circuit. Once the second rider crosses the line the women will leave for their lap. Final timings are taken when the second female rider crosses the finish line.
Yorkshire will be making history by hosting the first ever Team Time Trial Mixed Relay with national teams consisting of three male riders and three female riders. The male riders will set off first and the women will replace them on the road as soon as the second male rider has crossed the finish line. Final timings will then be taken when the second female rider crosses the finish line and the fastest team will be declared the winner.
The course has been designed to ensure it is as spectacular to watch as it is to ride, and tactics will certainly play their part as riders must judge their efforts to ensure their team is given the best possible chance of victory.
Favourites World Championships Mixed Relay
*** Netherlands, Germany
** Italy
* France, Spain