The Montreal Worlds elite men’s road race has become the season’s most open major contest after Tadej Pogačar’s absence reshaped the field.
The defending champion had looked set to dominate the build-up again. His recent superiority has often forced rivals to plan around him before racing begins. That framework disappeared after his season ended with a crash outside Xeraco during the Vuelta a España.
Pogačar had been widely viewed as the rider to beat in Montreal. A victory would have put him alongside Peter Sagan with a third straight rainbow jersey. Instead, the race now carries rare uncertainty at the sharp end.
That uncertainty changes almost every tactical equation. Without one fixed favourite controlling the imagination of the peloton, more nations can race aggressively. More riders can also believe the rainbow bands are within reach.
Montreal Worlds no longer revolve around one rider
Remco Evenepoel now stands as the most obvious favourite. The Belgian already owns an elite men’s road world title, won in Wollongong in 2022 after a long-range attack from 72km out.
Evenepoel also arrives with strong recent evidence behind him. Second place at this year’s Tour de France strengthened his grand tour credentials. A fourth consecutive world time trial title last week underlined his condition.
Yet Pogačar’s withdrawal may not make Evenepoel’s task simpler. It could make the race harder to control. Belgium also brings Wout van Aert, whose return to form gives the team another potential winner.
On paper, Evenepoel and Van Aert offer complementary skills. In practice, the world title often complicates national-team harmony. Belgian selector Serge Pauwels will need both leaders aligned before the decisive laps.
Evenepoel has shown greater vulnerability than some of cycling’s other dominant stars. Rivals know they may not beat him by waiting. They may need to isolate him, force choices, and test Belgium’s cohesion.
Young contenders add danger on Camillien-Houde
The Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal offered a timely warning about the next wave. Isaac del Toro and Paul Seixas fought for victory there in a two-rider sprint.
Both look suited to the Voie Camillien-Houde climb. Evenepoel will not want either rider beside him on the final ascent.
Seixas turned 20 on Thursday and has not played down his chances. A win would make him the youngest elite men’s road world champion in history.
Del Toro brings a strong one-day record for Mexico. The remaining doubt concerns his punch beyond 200km. Montreal gives him a chance to answer that question decisively.
Tom Pidcock also fits the course profile. The British rider won the mountain bike rainbow jersey before switching smoothly back to the road. Montreal’s repeated climbing suits his explosive style.
Mathieu van der Poel carries a different warning label. He suffered disappointment at the mountain bike worlds, then answered with a 175km solo victory at the Tour de Luxembourg.
Van der Poel has said the Montreal course sits “on the limit” of his capabilities. Rivals should treat that with caution. He took bronze on the tough Zürich course and won the demanding Glasgow Worlds in 2023.
Without Pogačar, few riders create chaos as naturally as Van der Poel. France, Belgium and other teams have obvious reasons to distance him before any sprint scenario develops.
More nations can believe in Montreal Worlds chance
The open race also extends beyond the headline favourites. The United States brings one of its deepest teams in years. Brandon McNulty and Quinn Simmons both have reason to see an opportunity.
Enric Mas arrives as the surprise Vuelta a España champion, giving Spain a rider with renewed belief. Ben Healy, bronze medallist a year ago for Ireland, also looks likely to attack.
Early moves may matter more than usual. With no Pogačar-centred script, ambitious riders can gamble before the favourites fully commit. The absence of one overwhelming reference point invites risk.
That could produce a race of repeated accelerations, uneasy alliances and difficult choices. Strong teams may struggle to decide whether to chase or force others into work.
The result is not guaranteed to be more entertaining than another Pogačar exhibition. It will, however, be different. Montreal now offers a rare version of the Worlds where many endings feel possible.
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