A month ago, it all looked set to be a hat-trick for Tadej Pogacar, but following the cycling superstar’s crash, this is likely to be the most exciting World Championships in years. Suddenly, the elite riders behind Pogacar are no longer thinking about second place, but about victory at the foot of Mont Royal in Montreal. Here’s an overview of the favourites’ chances in Sunday’s 273.4-kilometre race, which includes 3,800 metres of climbing (3.00 pm CET).
Remco Evenepoel
The logical favourite. Remco Evenepoel could become the first man to win the World Championship double in the time trial and road race. He already has four time trial titles to his name, and four years ago he claimed his only road race victory. “Remco suits the course,” says his German Red Bull team-mate Florian Lipowitz. However, in the dress rehearsal on the almost identical course – the Grand Prix de Montréal two weeks ago – he could only manage fifth place. To make history, he’ll need to step it up a gear.
Paul Seixas
France’s wonder kid has had almost nothing but reasons to celebrate in Montreal so far. He made the strongest impression at the Grand Prix, eventually finishing second. In the individual time trial, Paul Seixas surprised everyone by winning the bronze medal – and on Wednesday he celebrated his 20th birthday. This means he could become the youngest world champion in history. Seixas’s advantage: the French team is riding 100 per cent for him. His disadvantage: he is too weak in the sprint and has to reach the finish line on his own.
Isaac Del Toro
Tadej Pogacar’s crown prince. Isaac Del Toro is not only a team-mate of the record Tour winner, but his riding style is also reminiscent of the Slovenian’s. “He’s in the comfortable position of simply having to ride along,” says Maximilian Schachmann. This is because the Mexican can win the race both on his own and in a sprint. However, the 22-year-old does not have a strong team and may have to rely on support from riders of other nationalities within his UAE team. Earlier this year, he won the GP Montreal in a sprint against Seixas.
Wout van Aert
Belgium’s second trump card. However, Wout van Aert has never won a race with more than 3,100 metres of climbing. In Montreal, the Roubaix winner won’t have to take the initiative. If Evenepoel suffers a mechanical or has an off day, the 32-year-old can step up. In the final sprint, he’s likely to be hard to beat despite the climb.
Tom Pidcock
Tom Pidcock already has three World Championship titles to his name. One in cyclo-cross, two in mountain biking. Now he is set to add the rainbow jersey on the road to his collection. The team is rallying behind him; Pidcock finished sixth in the Grand Prix. As well as his climbing ability, he is also noted for his sprinting prowess. There have only ever been two British world champions in the history of the sport: Tom Simpson in 1965 and Mark Cavendish in 2011.
Mathieu van der Poel
The course, says national coach Jens Zemke, reminds him of the World Championships in Glasgow. That was where Mathieu van der Poel triumphed in 2023. And following his incredible 174-kilometre solo breakaway at the Tour of Luxembourg on Sunday, the record-holding cyclo-cross world champion is now among the favourites. He himself plays it down, describing the course as too tough. Of course, the longest climb, just over two kilometres long, doesn’t suit him. But when he won in Glasgow, the course had only 250 metres less elevation gain.
Quinn Simmons
The outsider’s tip. The American is in top form, having finished third and fourth in the last two editions of the Grand Prix de Montréal. The 25-year-old likes the circuit, and the fans love his daring attacks. “He’s a rider you wouldn’t immediately class as dangerous. But once he’s got away, he’s hard to catch,” says Schachmann. Simmons also has strong climbers in Brandon McNulty and Matteo Jorgensen as team-mates.
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