I don’t love golf. In my experience, it’s largely a stuffy sport for men I don’t really hang out with – aside from some notable exceptions. It’s also a great way of spoiling nature, and in the UK, takes up a lot of private land. However, over the weekend I found myself captivated by the Ryder Cup, which seems to be like golf, except with all the boring bits ejected. Rather than playing as individuals, they play as Europe vs the USA, they wear different kits than usual, and they play in a format they don’t normally use. It’s not normal golf, and that’s what makes it fun, even if it is a bit confusing.
I hope this is how outsiders see cycling’s UCI Road World Championships. It’s every year as opposed to the Ryder Cup’s biennial occurrence, but it is always a welcome difference. Unlike almost every race a year, there are no trade teams, riders use different kits, teams are national mashups, no race radios, and a brand new unique course is used. It isn’t normal cycling, it’s chaos, and that’s why I love it so much.
