"If anyone can break those guys, it's obviously Pogacar" - World Championships offers Wout van Aert and Mathieu van der Poel dilemma for Slovenian
CyclingSaturday, 29 August 2026 at 12:00
Tadej Pogacar won't have it all his own way at the 2026 World Championships and could face a different perspective as he searches for answers against Wout van Aert and Mathieu van der Poel on a course that favours the classics specialists next month.
That's the opinion of Michael Woods as the Canadian prepares to bid farewell to road cycling after stepping away from professional racing at the end of last season. Returning with the Canadian national team for a home World Championships, he pointed out an aspect of the parcours that opens a debate.
Admitting that the likes of Van Aert and Van Der Poel have a fighting chance, he believes that the circuit's key climb's shallow gradients and areas for recovery make it one that diesn't fully suit the Slovenian - turning the tables somewhat.
With most debates around the UAE leader revolving around how others can cling on to his wheel, the Montreal course turns the tables slightly as the question is posed if Pogacar can break the Belgian and Dutch resistance rather than going in as clear favourite.
“I certainly think riders like Mathieu van der Poel and Wout van Aert have a chance. The most important section of the circuit is a climb where you benefit a lot from the draft of the rider in front of you," he told Wieler Revue.
Mathieu van der Poel and Wout van Aert
Climb offers opportunity for riders
"The only rider I have really seen break other riders there is Tadej Pogacar. The steepest part isn't very difficult and you even have a few moments of rest. But if anyone can break those guys, it's obviously Pogacar.”
With Pogacar starting his eighth day at the Vuelta a Espana and almost four minutes ahead of the field in the red jersey race, it remains to be seen how he will manage the second and third week with one eye on the World Championships.
Some have speculated that the busy schedule could come back to bite him in the race for the rainbow jersey, with Remco Evenepoel and Mathieu van der Poel racing much less since the Tour de France and Wout van Aert afforded opportunities to pick and choose his moments during the Vuelta.
Pogacar's busy race schedule in 2026
Woods is just looking after himself, however. He called time on his WorldTour journey after the Tour de France with Israel-Premier Tech in 2025 and has primarily raced on gravel this season. His road racing swan-song comes alongside Derek Gee in Canadian colours next moth.
“Based on my condition, I don't think there is a Canadian other than Derek who climbs as well on a course like the one in Montreal as I do.
"I absolutely want the World Championships on home soil to be my very last road race, but I no longer had the energy to ride in the WorldTour for another year.”
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.
claps 1visitors 1
Just in
Popular news
Latest comments
- Yankees go home... and stay there.PogiSloFans29-08-2026
- Maybe I am "artificial intelligence"... and have the ability to outsmart all of you wannabe cycling commentators. It means I use my cleverness, quick thinking and strategy to beat all of you Yankees. Capish?PogiSloFans29-08-2026
- Lol the UCI have a golden egg that just keeps on giving.Cyclingsbestfan29-08-2026
- Stop being so modest. Why would you hear that from a birdie? You and Pog are such good friends I think he may have told you that when you called him before the start.
Andrew29-08-2026 - Without a doubt it has changed its login many times and probably has more that one login that it uses to support itself.Andrew29-08-2026
- He can but does he want to is what you should asking Mr Americano. XxxAndrew29-08-2026
- @frieders3 - I am reasonably certain his mouth gets well worked at the gymAndrew29-08-2026
- Your mouth gets overworked - at the gym also old man ?frieders329-08-2026
- Pretty sure his login has changed multiple times due to being kicked off this site for idiotic comments.frieders329-08-2026
- Wout was a monster today. I really thought his day would end after the intermediate sprint.DAS28-08-2026
Loading
Write a comment