Germany's Niklas Behrens takes surprise victory in men's U23 World Championships road race! Svrcek and Segaert complete podium
Cycling
Germany's Niklas Behrens is the new men's under 23 road race world champion after emerging on top from a high quality field on Friday afternoon in Zurich. Completing the final podium, Slovakia's Martin Svrcek and Belgium's Alec Segaert.
In a frantic and unrelenting start to the race, rider after rider attempted to go on the attack early on. Although no real breakaway formed, a number of riders found themselves in difficulty and out the back of the peloton as a result of the consistently high pace. Among those out of the running, USA's INEOS Grenadiers prodigy, 'AJ' Andrew August.
At 50km to go, it was the Swiss team setting a fierce pace on the front, reeling back any attacks that went away. Then, on the penultimate ascent of the Witikon, UAE Team Emirates prodigy Jan Christen launched a brutal attack, riding clear solo. Leading the chase behind, was Italy's Giulio Pellizzari. Having been stuck somewhat in no man's land though, the Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe bound prospect dropped back to the main chase group at 30km to go, around 50 seconds behind the lone leader.
On the final climb of the day, Belgium's Jarno Wider launched a big counter from the chase bringing compatriot Alec Segaert, Slovakia's Martin Svrcek, Mexico's Isaac del Toro and GB's Joseph Blackmore alongside him, immediately taking back 10-15 seconds on Christen. At 20km to go though, the Swiss leader still had an advantage of around 40 seconds from the chase.
At just over 10km left, the catch of Christen was finally made as Svrcek and Germany's Niklas Behrens bridged across. After the latter immediately attacked again though, Christen couldn't soon dropped away. As those 2 powered away, victory and the Rainbow Jersey quickly became a two-horse race.
In a sprint for the line, Behrens opened things up and Svrcek was left helpless, giving the German the world title. Notably, Alec Segaert secured the third spot on the podium.
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Kieran WoodDeputy Editor-in-Chief
Kieran Wood is a sports journalist based in Wales and has been active in journalism since 2022. He regularly contributes to DartsNews.com and CyclingUpToDate.com, where he covers professional cycling and darts. In cycling, his work includes liveblogs from major races, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, alongside race reports and analysis. He has also conducted interviews with professional riders.
His reporting spans the full racing calendar, from one-day classics to stage races, with a focus on accurate, real-time coverage and clear contextual analysis. For statistics, results, and historical context, he regularly uses resources such as ProCyclingStats. To support reporting on rider activity and training context where relevant, he also references Strava.
In his work, Kieran places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles as new, verified information becomes available.
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- Hmmm, you seem to have a very convenient black and white view of things. Perhaps you haven’t been around much to discover how complex problems can become over time with people who know how to control, manipulate (or worse) others so gradually or subtly that you arrive at an irresolvable situation before you realise. This is how many inconveniences get introduced to the young, naïve, passionate or “desperate”, knowing they are not armed, protected or strong enough to defend themselves once it’s too late. Why do you think omerta culture is so widespread, why do you think so many people continue to go through so many awful things in life that others can’t understand anyone getting into? Life may be far more jolly for you but you would do well to understand (or reflect more on) the real world to refrain from being so quick to criticise those in a hard spot that may have genuine reason for speaking out.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- Seriously do you think when somebody gets into a serious accident, the ambulance is called by the hurt person?🤦 there is always a buddy system in place for a risky job. police , firefighters etc so that if someone gets hurt, the other call that in.abstractengineer07-11-2026
- I get the point totally. We live in the snowflake society where some riders forget they are getting paid to ride and get results. When they have a few issues they try to look outside of the real issue instead of themselves. It odd so many of the team are making no complaints and getting on with their job. If you do not like what you do find another job simples. Tough love as my mum would say.paultryan200207-11-2026
- many people advise him to grow slowly and rather do giro and/or vuelta instead of tdf. but i can totally understand that he is not satisfied with taking over once pogi declines, but instead beat him in his prime. so if he goes for tdf again, i‘m all for it. let‘s hope that pogi recovers soon!Ketterechts07-11-2026
- So gracious to offer something no-one would be prepared to pay for. The Giro is not the Tour and doesn’t command the same interest or attract the same “elite” (those willing to pay to be a part of something they consider has ego boosting potential). Roadside viewing will always largely remain free for everyone outside circuits. Introduction of a symbolic entrance to mountain climbs is worthy of exploration. Asking 1-2€ isn’t going to repulse real fans (most will spend 50-100€ on their outing that day all things included) but will prevent a portion of the total knobhead thrillseekers who will join in any large gathering as long as it’s free, just because they’re attracted to crowds, without which it it difficult for them to work up their anti-social behaviour.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- How is radio going to help when someone went over a cliff or bridge or off the roadside into a forest unnoticed and is laying there unconscious?Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- Yep, next we’ll be accusing F1 drivers of avoiding Le Mans.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- But on what is that opinion based? Are you holding him to a different standard than others? Are you saying he should do learn to like something he doesn’t Are you saying he hasn’t achieved enough Are you saying he pretends to be better than his results? It’s actually a really strange opinion to oust if you consider it objectively or rationally. Try applying it to others or yourself by asking if not EVERYONE should then be doing more? Nobody in athletics or swimming gets criticism for not expanding their repertoire when a rival or someone else does. In fact, most who move to another event get accused of running from their rival. Opinions are boring, the reasons behind them are what count.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- for a medical chief to throw things like is just bad. There are already radios which were banned for spectacle. allow radios. Gps trackers are not a complete solutionabstractengineer07-11-2026
- any rider less than 25 whether they are really ready for the position of leadership of GT is probably not the case. I think Pogi himself suffered when he was defeated by Jonas in the TDF twice. But that would be the team's job to ensure support so that they can bounce back. It requires a team and time to get back up and win after getting knocked down.abstractengineer07-11-2026
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On a sad day at the World Championships, Niklas Behrens of 🇩🇪 outsprints Martin Svrček of 🇸🇰 to take the 2024 Men's U23 World title. Alec Segaert takes the bronze for 🇧🇪 almost 30s behind #Zurich2024
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