It will be a difficult puzzle to put together. What criteria will be used to make these decisions? the riders' choices for the Olympics, in light of the bizarre rules imposed by the IOC and accepted without even a word by the UCI? While the national track team is returning from Canada, a news release from Denmark not too many days ago regarding Morkov offers food for thought.
The Danish team, which finished second in the 2023 rankings behind Belgium, will race on the road with four men. And since they're also counting heavily on a four-man team on the track, they invented a stratagem to allow Michael Morkov to defend his Madison gold medalDenmark has in fact already given the call-ups to three of the four road racers, pointing up Mads pedersen, Mathias Skjelmose and precisely MorkovThe fourth name will emerge in early June from the last useful races.
«Michael's selection – he explained to Cyclingnews Danish coach Anders Lund – is based on the consideration of the Denmark's overall Olympic medal ambitions in all cycling disciplinesBut that said, Michael also has excellent road skills, which we will benefit from in Paris. In the last three road world championships, Michael has done an exemplary job supporting the national teamHis vast experience and unique ability to guide his captain through a long road race will undoubtedly be invaluable for Mads Pedersen's chances of winning the medal we dream of."
Morkov and Madison
Denmark, like Italy, has great hopes for its quartet on the track and this means that in the choices of the track technicians there was a certain imbalance towards the chasing groupAnd Morkov, who has been part of winning World Cup quartets and won silver in the event at Beijing 2008, probably doesn't offer the necessary credentials to aim for gold, even as a reserve. Consequently, since he couldn't be selected for just one event (the Madison, in which he is an Olympic champion alongside Lasse Norman Hansen), it was decided to bring him to the road as well. His approach to the Olympics will pass through the Tour de France, Where will escort Cavendish in an attempt to beat Merckx's stage record.
«Michael – Lund added – wants to defend his gold medal in the Madison. However, we can only select four riders for all track cycling events, namely team pursuit, Madison, and omnium. Fortunately, countries can also "borrow" riders from other disciplines, so If Morkov is selected as a road cyclist, he will be able to compete in both disciplines. This way we can call an extra rider on the track, so that our riders stay fresh enough to complete all the events."
The blue road
Does the Danish choice open a window of opportunity for other nations as well? How will the Italian quotas be distributed? From what we know, an Italian road racer could also be called to run the time trial, to support Ganna who will be part of the quartet and the time trialWe know that Milan will only race on the track and not on the road, but couldn't he be the second time trialist? The use of has been discussed and will continue to be discussed Elisa Balsam even on the roadThe technicians still have two and a half months ahead of them to put together the perfect puzzle, knowing that theItaly's men's road race will feature only three men. (four women instead), due to the nation ranking which at the end of 2023 saw us in eighth position.
Track is the sector that probably offers the greatest chance of a medal for both men and women, on a par with the men's individual time trial. Given this situation, it is conceivable that among the three on the road a track cyclist will arrive, but don't be a stalker, allowing Villa to call on an extra man? And if that's the case, given the Italian results in the major classics, what potential will we have for the Paris road challenge? As mentioned, it will be a difficult puzzle to put togetherAt least there is no doubt about that.
