Mixed Relay: Germany takes on the top nations at the World Championships

​Following the individual time trials, the Road World Championships in Montreal will feature one of the most spectacular time trial formats of the year: the mixed relay. Each team consists of three men and three women. First, the men complete three laps and then hand over to the women, who contest the second half of the race. The time recorded is that of the second female rider to cross the finish line, meaning that team strength and perfect coordination play a decisive role.

Mixed relay to be decided by the final starting group

​Traditionally, the medals are only decided in the final starting group, as the top favourites take to the course last. In Montreal, too, all eyes were therefore focused primarily on the last competitors to start, who were in a position to challenge the best times set up to that point. The teams from Italy, Switzerland, France, Australia and Germany are traditionally among the big favourites. German hopes, in particular, rest on the experienced men’s trio of Nikias Arndt, Jasha Sütterlin and Max Walscheid, as well as the strong female time trialists Ricarda Bauernfeind, Franziska Koch and Antonia Niedermaier.

Results from previous years and favourites

Switzerland and Australia are among the most successful nations of recent years. The event has only been running since 2019 and was cancelled in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. Australia secured the World Championship titles in the past two years, whilst Switzerland had previously won the gold medal twice. Germany has also won the mixed relay before. In 2021, Tony Martin was still leading the team. Although Australia has won the race on the last two occasions, Italy and Switzerland are likely to line up with the strongest teams. On paper, they are the favourites for the title. However, a lot can happen in a team time trial, so an upset cannot be ruled out.

The start times