Valverde & Alaphilippe Topping the 2018 UCI Road World Champions Odds

Men’s Elite Road Race at UCI Road World Champions in the Austrian province of Tirol (September 22 – 30) will be the toughest one in history. Three-time defending champion Peter Sagan is no longer the hot favourite to win the race rather Valverde and Alaphilippe are topping the UCI Road World Champions odds.

The Men’s Elite Road Race is the longest competition of UCI Road World Champions. It will take place on September 30th, covering a distance of 254.2 kilometers, with around 5,000 meters of climbing. Riders will start in the town of Kufstein and begin with seven circuits of 24 km of the Olympic Circuit before heading northwards towards the Hungerburg settlement in the north, where they will hit a climb featuring 25 per cent sections. The Hottinger Hill is the steepest climb and will likely be the place where the Men’s Elite Road Race is decided. See the Map here, before you head to Unibet Sportsbook to bet on Men’s road race winner.

1. Peter Sagan (No Longer the Hot Favorite)

“It’s not obvious that I win it three times in a row and I’m going to win it a fourth time. Like everything should stop somewhere.”

The Slovakian pro Peter Sagan began his streak with a win in Richmond. In 2016, he defended his title in Doha, and he did it successfully again in Bergen, Norway. Yet he admittedly believes the fourth title is too hard to win in Tirol against real climbers. According to Unibet Sportsbook Sagan stands at 18.00 to win, placed seventh at UCI Road World Champions odds list.

2. Alejandro Valverde (3.50)

The 38-year-old Spaniard Alejandro Valverde is the heavy favourite to be the first rider to cross the finishing line. His record can easily speak for him: he claimed six medals in the World’s road race, four bronze and two silver. At his last ride in Vuelta a Espana, he won two stages, but he is lying behind to Simon Yates in the overall standings. Regardless of his age, Vlaverde remains very active and he is expected to be among the top contenders.

3. Julian Alaphilippe (5.50)

The French rider Julian Alphilippe just won the third stage of the Tour of Britain, spreading over eight days (Sept 02 – 09). In Tour de France, he had a terrifying experience when a rogue gust of wind pushed him off the road to go straight into the rocks at 32 miles per hour. He walked away with minor bruises, finishing at 33^rd place in overall 21 stages. As of now, he is well shaped and he will be able to compete at the highest level in Austria.

4. Primoz Roglic (the Rising Star)

The 28-year-old Slovenian cyclist is the rising star of the world scene. Roglic had a great ride at Tour de France, finishing fourth at the overall standings. He had an outstanding start in 2018, claiming victory in the Tour of the Basque Country. What’s more, he also secured the top spot in the general classification of the Tour de Romandie in May. Roglic participated in the Tour of Slovenia in June, where he won in 2015, and then the Tour de France in July. His pro cycling started just six years ago after ending his career as a professional ski jumper. The odds are 15.00 for him to win the championship, but it remains to be seen if he can make a surprise finish before Valverde, Alaphilippe and Sagan.

5. Vincenzo Nibali (Not Fully Fit to Win the Race)

Best online betting sites in Austria expect the Sicilian leader Vincenzo Nibali to be among the first riders with odds at 11.00, according to Unibet Sportsbook. Yet it is very difficult to see him winning the race after the horrific crash he had in Tour de France by a fan on Alpe d’Huez. It took him 20 days to recover. The 33-year-old world-class cyclist had a great career so far, winning the 2010 Vuelta a Espana, Giro d’Italia, and the 2014 Tour de France. Nevertheless, it is not clear yet whether he is fully fit again to win the race.