Cramps costly for Cancellara at Ponferrada Worlds

No matter how lofty his palmarès, a Classics rider builds up a healthy tolerance for disappointment in an endeavour where heartbreak will always outweigh happiness. Yet as Fabian Cancellara crossed the line in Ponferrada on Sunday, there was a sense that his low-key showing in the elite men's road race at the World Championships cut deeper than any number of near misses on the Lungomare Italo Calvino or Roubaix velodrome over the years.

Thank you for reading 5 articles in the past 30 days*

Join now for unlimited access

Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

*Read any 5 articles for free in each 30-day period, this automatically resets

After your trial you will be billed £4.99 $7.99 €5.99 per month, cancel anytime. Or sign up for one year for just £49 $79 €59

Join now for unlimited access

Try your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

Barry Ryan
Head of Features

Barry Ryan is Head of Features at Cyclingnews. He has covered professional cycling since 2010, reporting from the Tour de France, Giro d’Italia and events from Argentina to Japan. His writing has appeared in The Independent, Procycling and Cycling Plus. He is the author of The Ascent: Sean Kelly, Stephen Roche and the Rise of Irish Cycling’s Golden Generation, published by Gill Books.