As the world’s best time trialists battle it out for the rainbow jersey in Montreal, a course awaits that promises excitement right up to the very end. At first glance, the route appears to favour the classic all-rounders: wide roads, fast sections and numerous kilometres where pure power and aerodynamics take centre stage. Yet the World Championships will not be decided by power output alone.
Time and again, the riders must tackle technical sections and find their rhythm again before the decisive climb awaits over the final three kilometres. That is where the race could take a complete turn once more. Riders such as Remco Evenepoel, Filippo Ganna and Stefan Küng are likely to feel particularly at home on this course, but the final climb also offers the more versatile time trialists a chance to get in on the fight for the medals. Montreal thus offers the ideal conditions for a World Championship time trial that is likely to remain wide open right until the very end.
The route of the individual time trial
The organisers have designed a course for the individual time trial in Montreal that suits the classic specialists without favouring only the most powerful riders. For long stretches, the route runs along wide, fast roads, where a stable aero position and a steady rhythm will be crucial. Long straights encourage high speeds and reward riders who can manage their energy efficiently over the entire distance.
At the same time, the course demands far more than just high wattage figures. Several technical sections repeatedly disrupt the rhythm and also put riders’ skills to the test. Anyone wishing to be in contention for a medal must not only possess exceptional power output but also be able to master the changing demands of the course without making any mistakes.
The race is unlikely to be decided until the final stretch anyway. The road climbs steadily over the last three kilometres, with the final kilometre in particular becoming noticeably steeper. Whilst the split times at kilometres 10.7, 21.9 and 29.8 provide important indications of how the race is unfolding, on the final climb even significant gaps can still be closed or leads squandered.
In total, the World Championships time trial covers 39.2 kilometres and 220 metres of elevation gain. The race starts at 12.45 pm on Avenue du Parc, with the finish line in Parc Jeanne-Mance. As was the case at the 2022 World Championships in Australia, men and women will compete on the same course this year.
Favourites: Who will take gold in the race against the clock?
The men’s individual time trial in Montreal promises to be an open battle for the medals. Whilst the course, with its demanding final climb, is tailor-made for the classic time trial specialists, it also offers additional opportunities to riders who excel on hilly terrain. Three names top the list of favourites: Remco Evenepoel, Filippo Ganna and Stefan Küng. The Belgian is regarded as the leading contender for gold thanks to his versatility and his outstanding World Championship and Olympic successes. Ganna remains a contender for victory on any time trial course, whilst Küng, with his impressive consistency, has been among the world’s very best for years.
Hot on their heels is a group of riders who, on a perfect day, could also be in contention for the medals. Brandon McNulty brings the necessary combination of time-trial strength and climbing ability to the final stage, whilst Daan Hoole has developed into one of the strongest specialists in the peloton in recent years. Paul Seixas is one to watch in particular. The young Frenchman not only possesses enormous time trial potential, but is also likely to benefit from the uphill finale. Although Isaac del Toro is not regarded as a classic time trial specialist, his exceptional form this season makes him a contender for a top result too. The wider circle of medal contenders also includes Ethan Hayter, who has already delivered numerous strong time trials at the highest level, as well as former French champion Bruno Armirail, whose experience on a technically demanding course could prove invaluable.
The wider circle of favourites
The young specialists Jakob Söderqvist and Callum Thornley could also prove dangerous. Both are among the greatest time trial talents of their generation and have made great strides in recent years. Whilst Söderqvist is regarded as a classic aerodynamics specialist, Thornley has a more versatile profile. Stefan Bissegger should not be underestimated either. On his day, the Swiss rider is among the fastest in the world and has proven his class in individual time trials on numerous occasions. The same applies to Mikkel Bjerg, who has been competing at the very highest level against the best specialists for years and won the World Championship time trial title from 2017 to 2019.
Further down the list of favourites are several riders who, whilst not necessarily among the frontrunners for the podium, undoubtedly have the potential to achieve a top result. Mathias Vacek is one of the most versatile riders of his age group and has the pace to put even the established specialists under pressure. The 2022 World Champion, Tobias Foss, has already proven that he can rise to the occasion in title deciders. Alec Segaert, for his part, is regarded as one of the most successful time-trialists of his U23 generation and is also closing in on the world’s best in the elite ranks. The Portuguese rider Ivo Oliveira benefits from his many years’ experience in time trials. Iván Romeo has quickly established himself as one of Spain’s most promising talents and has a profile that suits the course well.
Ultimately, the decisive factor is likely to be who strikes the right balance between taking risks and pacing themselves over the first 36 kilometres, so that they can draw on their reserves once more on the final climb. That is precisely where it is likely to be decided who wins the rainbow jersey in Montreal.
Lukas Niebuhr
Editor