I don't see the problem regarding schedules. If a­ rider wants to win the Vuelta, then he will race to­ win. If a rider places greater importance on the­ Worlds, then that's his decision. Riders these­ days train, focus and race to win only one or two races­ a year anyway, such is the level of specialism and­ peaks of form, so not sure it would make any­ difference. Races are always going to clash.

When did the Worlds used to be scheduled?

They should certainly reassess the schedules. Whilst I­ don't begrudge riders feeling the need to drop out,­ it's unfortunate that a Grand Tour in particular­ has to suffer as a result. As well as the current race­ suffering in terms of competition, seeing a depleted­ peloton ride into Madrid doesn't look good as an­ advertisement for those contemplating their season­ schedules.

They ought to reschedule the Worlds so that the Vuelta­ doesn't have to suffer - it's a shame when you­ have riders of Ballan's calibre feeling they cannot­ complete the race and still compete effectively in the­ Worlds. Take the Worlds back to its original slot, and­ while they're at it, they ought to revise the­ ridiculous entrance system which allows low-ranked­ riders to be entered off the back of their successful­ countrymen / women. Surely the Worlds should be a­ competition between the world's top 160 riders?

If I was Ballan I would avoid the curse by working for­ Cunego and let the Little Prince suffer a year of­ anonymity.

Italy will be mighty tough to beat this year, with­ Cunego, Ballan, Pozzato, Nibali etc. Spain will also­ be a factor with Valverde and Sanchez..........shame­ that Contador/Sastre didn't fancy it, as that Italy­ v Spain would've been some face-off!