"Everything in my career is a bit of a surprise" - Laid-back Roglic and determined Jorgenson paint a picture of World Championships without Pogacar
CyclingSunday, 27 September 2026 at 16:45
In a World Championships without Tadej Pogacar, Primoz Roglic and Matteo Jorgenson paint a picture of the impact the Slovenian's absence has on the elite men's race in Montreal.
Roglic leads the Slovenia team without their key man, but intent on honouring the jersey. Unshackled from the responsibility of controlling the race for UAE rider, Roglic comes into the race off the back of a Vuelta a Espana second place.
But in the Red Bull rider's usual fashion, he appeared laid-back in a pre-race interview as he turned philosophical in his approach to the race, looking back at his career.The veteran offered his opinion on the race, suggesting that a mix of climbers and versatile riders will contest the win on the city circuit.
"Yeah, that's true that unfortunately he cannot be here with us. For me, I didn't really plan it, but everything in my career is a bit of a surprise," Roglic told CyclingProNet.
"So here I am and we'll see what happens today. I'm still waiting for that surprise. I mean, it's hard, it's not so hard that only the climbers could be there or something. So, long, hard and at the end, you have to be good to just be there."
Brandon McNulty, Quinn Simmons and Matteo Jorgenson are all options for USA in Montreal
Laid-back Roglic contrasts to determined Jorgenson
On the other side of the spectrum, many other teams are buoyed by the Slovenian's absence, sensing an opportunity for a gold medal for the first time since his two-year dominance of the race.
Matteo Jorgenson is one of the team USA riders hoping to make an impact But after the Tour de France, the Visma rider slowed things right down as he toured the US and Canada before ramping up his preparations for the race.
He said: "I've had a good time. I've spent a couple of weeks just driving around in a camper van, visiting my friends, kind of training again, resting, getting outside of the cycling bubble a little bit."
Simmons and McNulty also an option for USA
But switching on his focus, Jorgenson sees a world-class team around him and a determination to preserve their energy for a selective finale in Montreal. He thinks he, Brandon McNulty and Quinn Simmons to act as the three major cards for them to play in the final laps of the 273-kilomtre race.
"It is a big one today. We have a really strong team. We have eight riders that are all, I think, world-class level, and I think we're going to try to have numbers in the final.
"That's our main objective, is to have the three of us - Brandon, Quinn and I - in the final and play our cards from there."
Gavin QuinnCycling Journalist
Gavin Quinn is a cycling journalist and ultra-distance cyclist with a BA in Journalism from Dublin City University. Formerly the Press & Communications Officer for Cycling Ireland, Gavin has worked inside the national team at the World Championships and has reported for the Irish Mirror, Mirror UK, and The42.
His expertise is backed by elite-level access, having interviewed stars like Sam Bennett and Ben Healy, as well as immense personal endurance. In 2025, he completed a 12,000km solo cycle from Ireland to Vietnam, following a 4,600km tour across Europe. From the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix to the gradients of the Tourmalet, Gavin’s writing focuses on the "romance and brutality" of the sport. Having visited 50+ countries, he brings a global, cultural perspective to his coverage of the pro peloton for CyclingUpToDate.
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- That would be funny, except in this age you’ve now probably given some AI scammer an idea how to get fans to click on fake links in the hope of discovering insider info before info media. It’s far easier to keep riders sticking to rules out of fining fear for the UCI if they stay vague. Riders have the right to protest if they feel unfairly treated, in the meantime, I think the constant moaning from fans for trying to apply rules (far more than fined riders themselves) has taught them not to publish too much, unlike Trump.Mistermaumau27-09-2026
- It says, the jury report doesn’t specify.Mistermaumau27-09-2026
- No specific moment in the race, or clarification over what the illegal position was, is detailed in the race communique???? These f**** are doing anything they want... just like Trump. UCI=Trump.PogiSloFans27-09-2026
- You can get the full report by contacting [email protected]
vannpelt27-09-2026 - lol seems that way. wondering why the site didn't diverge it.mij27-09-2026
- Sssh... it's a secret (uci moneymaking made useless by small fines)
Rafionain-Glas27-09-2026 - what was the position?mij27-09-2026
- Del Toro is one of my favourites, but when he won in Montreal he was supported by his trade team-mates, who had to calm his self-doubt. Don't know how he'll fare on his own.Hills3327-09-2026
- Lowkey this would actually be really cool @Rafionain-Glasanonymouscyclist27-09-2026
- So you put Remco in the last place...I think he should be higher up the scale. His daddy is already saying: "Remco will win. Pogačar should almost be happy he's injured, because Remco would win in any case."PogiSloFans27-09-2026
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