Last week Norwegian Edvald Boassan Hagen (Columbia-HTC) ruled the streets at the Tour of Britain with four consecutive wins to seal up the overall victory. A fitting performance from the young rider as he readies for his move to Britain’s new cycling powerhouse Team Sky.
You might think his exploits in the streets of the UK would make him a “shoe in” for Norway’s team leader in the World Championship road race this weekend in Mendrisio, Switzerland. But when you have a look at the course for the worlds, it doesn’t particularly suit him or his teammate Thor Hushovd (Cervelo TestTeam).
According to the Norwegian newspaper Verdens Gang, Kurt Asle Arvesen (Team Saxo Bank), who will be riding with Boasson Hagen for Team Sky next season, thinks their best chance for a good result lies with the 22-year-old.
Arvesen, who was briefly linked to Lance Armstrong’s new RadioShack Team a month ago, will likely play an important role as the third member of the team if they can fill a podium spot.
Hushovd told the newspaper that it’s best to see how things shake out on the course: “I don’t entirely agree with him [Arvesen], considering that myself, Kurt and Edvald all have our own set of skills. I think it is best [for us] to sit in the field.”
Hushovd said that if there is more than one rider from the team left near the end of the race, they can decide on a plan then.
Fresh off a stage win and sewing up the points competition at the Tour of Missouri, Hushovd feels that his form is good enough to produce a surprise in the results column this weekend.