what to ‍Expect in ⁣Kigali

Ashlin Barry could give Team USA its first medal as ⁤he lines up Tuesday for the junior time trial races in Day 3 of competition at the UCI road world championships in Rwanda.

The 17-year-old – born in ⁤Canada to ex-pros Michael Barry and Dede demet-Barry but now racing with a U.S. license – is the U.S. junior national ⁣TT champ and runner-up at ‍Paris-Roubaix Junior.

Team USA’s ⁤Beckam Drake, ‍third in U.S. nationals behind Barry, will also be in with a ⁢shot at the podium. Other top⁢ favorites ⁣include the dutch double threat of Gijs Schoonvelde and Michiel Mouris, national junior road and time ⁤trial champions,⁢ respectively.

Lidia‍ Cusack and Liliana Edwards, the reigning U.S. national junior TT champion, both will see ⁢chances of medals in the⁤ junior women’s race.

The men race on a 22.6km course and the women tackle an 18.3km course ⁤in Kigali.

Course⁤ Details & Analysis

The Kigali courses are known for ⁤their rolling terrain and ‍technical descents. This favors riders with strong bike handling skills and the ability to maintain power on short, steep climbs. The courses are not notably long, meaning⁣ pacing will be crucial. A strong start is important, but ⁣riders must avoid going out too hard and fading in the latter half of ⁢the race.

Men’s Course (22.6km)

The men’s⁤ course features a challenging mix of flat sections, rolling ⁣hills, and technical corners. the key section is a sustained⁢ climb approximately halfway ⁣through the course, followed by⁣ a fast‍ descent. Riders will need to be aerodynamic⁣ on the flat sections and possess strong climbing ability to excel.

Women’s Course (18.3km)

The women’s course is slightly shorter but equally demanding. It shares some of the same characteristics as the men’s course, with rolling⁤ terrain and technical sections. The course is more compact, meaning riders will have less prospect to recover between efforts.

Key Contenders

Here’s a ⁣breakdown of the riders expected to challenge for medals: