Aero-Police in Montréal: When the Coffee Ride suddenly turns into the World Championships

It’s all about taking part. Rarely has the much-quoted Olympic motto been more apt for a World Cycling Championships than it was for this performance. Whilst the favourites in the individual time trial leave no aerodynamic detail untouched, Gil Landim Gomes rolled off the starting ramp with kit that was more reminiscent of a perfectly ordinary road bike ride than a battle against the clock at the very highest level. The rider from Guinea-Bissau did without a dedicated time-trial bike and an aero helmet. To top it off, he wore sunglasses that were even more in keeping with the look of a keen amateur cyclist.

A world apart from the high-tech world

It was precisely this contrast that made his appearance so remarkable. The rider from Guinea-Bissau’s outfit was completed by short red socks, a custom-designed racing suit and a Canada water bottle. For a discipline in which the top teams seek out even the slightest aerodynamic advantages, this was a refreshingly different sight.

And Gomes even played a special role in the race: he was the first rider to roll down the starting ramp of the elite time trial. In the end, however, the tables were turned. Gomes finished the time trial second from last (the Iranian Arvin Moazemi did not finish the race and is therefore officially last) and, with an average speed of just over 33 km/h, lost almost 25 minutes to world champion Remco Evenepoel. Or, with a touch of humour: the first shall be the last.

From a first-time entrant to the star of the World Cup

However, in this case, the results tell only part of the story. Given his performance, the fact that Gomes would not be able to compete with the world’s best time trialists almost took a back seat. Instead, the 29-year-old, who had finished third in the national championships in June, attracted attention with his unusual appearance.

After all, there is hardly any discipline in modern cycling that is more heavily influenced by equipment and aerodynamics than the individual time trial. This made the visual contrast all the greater when Gomes took to the course on a standard road bike and wearing a road cycling helmet. The fact that the very first rider to start the race, of all people, deviated so markedly from the usual time trial mould lent the opening stage an extra touch of originality. Although he finished in 60th place, images of his appearance subsequently went viral on social media, making him one of the standout moments of the World Championships time trial.

Perhaps that is precisely what gives this World Cup story its charm. Whilst Evenepoel went on to win his fourth consecutive World Time Trial Championship title, Gomes reminded us – without setting any record times – that a World Championship isn’t all about seconds, wattages and aerodynamics. Sometimes, an extraordinary performance is enough to leave a lasting impression. Sometimes, simply taking part really is everything.