World Cycling Championships: German stars missing - Pogacar present

Maximilian Schachmann had to end the season, Lennard Kämna took a break from racing after the Tour de France, and German champion Nils Politt also decided not to make the gruelling trip Down Under.

• This is the BDR squad for the World Cycling Championships

Neither in the individual time trial - a sure-fire medal bank for many years thanks to Tony Martin - nor in the road race is the German team likely to have any chance of winning a medal. The team will be led by road captain Nikias Arndt, who recently had to withdraw due to a positive corona test at the Vuelta had to get out of the car.

German cycling stars are missing

Speaking of corona. Schachmann has also caught the virus twice this season. Lengthy infections and crashes have further affected the 2022 classics specialist, He recently ended the season due to exhaustion syndrome. Kämna, too, was in a good position after the strong performances at the Giro d'Italia and the Tour de France the petrol tank was empty. And climbing specialist Emanuel Buchmann, who was also set back several times due to illness, was unable to finish the race. Germany Tour and is also missing in Australia.

However, some of the international stars still have big goals in Australia. Tadej Pogacar (Slovenia) has recently returned to strong form after missing out on winning the Tour.

Alaphilippe and Evenpoel at the start of the World Cycling Championships

The two-time world champion Julian Alaphilippe (France) wants to win despite unbelievable bad luck defend its title this season. The Belgians are sending their stars Remco Evenepoel, who has just won the Vuelta, and Wout van Aert into the race.

It starts on Sunday with the women's individual time trial (Click here for the favourites preview with Claudia Lichtenberg). Here, too, Germany's prospects are extremely slim after Lisa Brennauer's career ended. In addition, Lisa Klein prefers to concentrate on the Track Cycling World Championships in October following health problems.

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