News in brief: Unfortunately, the Road World Championships currently taking place in Doha, Qatar, are not only in the headlines for sporting reasons. The almost unbearable heat and the virtually non-existent spectators make the competitions in the desert state seem almost surreal at times. Tom Dumoulin finds quite clear words in an interview with Dutch television.
"It's a dreary World Cup", the Rio silver medalist told the NOS news agency. “There are simply no fans here. A very weird atmosphere," the Dutchman describes his feelings. He became aware of the sometimes almost absurd spectacle near the route. "I saw a sign that said 'spectators' entrance.' I actually thought that was really funny." so the 25-year-old.
At today's men's time trial, you could again count the spectators in the finish area on two hands - there was mostly dead silence on the route itself. However, Dumoulin did not want to lean too far out of the window. When asked if he thought the World Cup was a farce, he replied: "If I say 'yes' now, tomorrow the newspapers will say 'Dumoulin is making fun of the World Cup.' So I just don't say anything."