Our pick of the best imagery from the week's racing action at the 2016 Road World Championships in Qatar (October 10-16)
Crash in the desert
Sand and loose road surfaces claimed a couple of victims during the road race disciplines. Luke Durbridge (Australia) and Fernando Gaviria (Colombia) were among those who withdrew during the elite men’s event due to crash injuries.
Credit: Yuzuru Sunada
Marianne Vos
Former world champion Marianne Vos passes through a striking piece of architecture on her way to the start of the women’s road race. She would finish in 22nd place.
Credit: Yuzuru Sunada
Checking the temperature
A race official checks temperatures before the under-23 men’s road race. Concerns had been raised prior to the 2016 Worlds that the temperatures would be harsh on riders, so the UCI instigated regular checks.
Credit: Graham Watson
Dowsett at the finish
Alex Dowsett looks hot after his ride in the elite men’s individual time trial. The British national champion put in a solid ride to finish 12th behind winner Tony Martin (Germany), and said afterwards that he couldn’t have given anything more.
Credit: Yuzuru Sunada
Cavendish signs on
Mark Cavendish (Great Britain) signs on before the start of the men’s road race. His arm bears the scars of a training crash on Wednesday, which he kept to himself despite suffering some injuries. He placed second in the sprint behind Peter Sagan (Slovakia).
Credit: Graham Watson
Phinney in the TT
American Taylor Phinney had been hoping for a good ride in the men’s time trial, and finished in 15th spot. He also took part in the men’s road race on Sunday but missed the split in the peloton that ultimately shaped the race.
Credit: Yuzuru Sunada
Exhausted Castroviejo
As befits a World Championships performance, Spain’s Jonathan Castroviejo put everything into his time trial ride – and came away with a bronze medal for his effort. Here, he cools down with the help of Spanish team staff.
Credit: Yuzuru Sunada
Doha scenery
Karim Shiraliyev of Azerbaijan passes in front of some traditional buildings during the junior men’s time trial.
Credit: Yuzuru Sunada
On the way to victory
Tony Martin (Germany) powered his way to victory in the men’s time trial. After some disappointed time trial results in the previous year, Martin elected to switch back to his old TT position, which favours comfort over aerodynamics. The move worked.
Credit: Graham Watson
Desert winds
Crosswinds split the elite men’s road race as it headed back towards The Pearl. Many of the top riders found themselves in the wrong group and unable to bridge back up to the 26 riders in the lead.
Credit: Graham Watson
Belgium in training
The Belgian team were out training on the roads around Doha prior to the men’s road race. The squad went into the race as one of the top favourites, and certainly played a big part in shaping the race. However, in the finale Peter Sagan (Slovakia) and Mark Cavendish (Great Britain) out-paced Tom Boonen and the team fell short.
Credit: Graham Watson
Kuwait team
A Kuwaiti rider has crashed in the elite women’s road race, as a team-mate waits beside her signalling for support.
Credit: Graham Watson
