"It's a bit funny that he's there" - Magnus Cort offended by Danish World Championships nomination

Cycling
Friday, 28 August 2026 at 03:00
Magnus Cort Nielsen on stage 8 of the 2026 Tour de France
The National team of Denmark was among first to its selection for 2026 World Championships. The team will be led by Lidl-Trek duo Mads Pedersen and Mattias Skjelmose, but one name is missing from the list; Magnus Cort Nielsen.
The 33-year-old Dane announced in advance that this season would be his last, but after winning the Danish championships he hoped to be part of the group heading to Canada in September. But instead, other riders were prioritized, including Mikkel Honoré who has not raced since his crash at Heistse Pijl.
"To be honest, Honoré hasn't been racing for long, so it's a bit funny that he's there, but it's not certain that I would have been the next man. I've been there many times, and it would have been great to be able to end my career at the World Championships, but I have to try to prove that it was a mistake not to go with me," Cort told TV 2 Sport.

Not the farewell he hoped for

Cort rode the World Championships seven times across his career, and finished four of the editions. His best result is a 24th place from most recent participation in a hard race in Zurich two years ago. Cort hoped to bring that tenacity he displayed throughout his career to use of his leaders at Danish National team while giving his career a honorable wrap.
Instead, he has to come in terms with the reality and choose a different farewell: "I understand that I'm up against some good riders, but I'm disappointed not to be there."
It is not to say that Cort had a bad season up until this point. Sure, it wasn't a smooth sailing, but the experienced Dane still sprinted to a home title as well as one Volta a Catalunya stage.
Mikkel Honoré at 2024 Giro d'Italia
Mikkel Honoré at 2024 Giro d'Italia
TV 2 Sport also asked Cort's seemingly rival for selection spot; Mikkel Honoré, for his point of view. Cort's former teammate did not have a perfect spring, but the main obstacle proved to be a crash at minor race Heistse Pijl which will have forced Honoré to take a 3-month break from racing until his comeback scheduled for GP Industria & Artigianato (September 6).
"I don't know what to say to that. I mostly just think about myself, so it's probably more Michael (national coach Mørkøv, ed.) who should answer that. I think we have a super good team, and I feel like I'm doing well, so I'm ready," responds Honoré.

Nomination is earned, not gifted

On paper, the nomination makes sense; Honoré displayed great level at the 2025 World Championships when he finished 12th. But 12th at Muscat Classic also happens to be Honoré's best result of 2026 season, indicating that even his pre-injury form was not outstanding. Still, the Danish selector picked the 29-year-old Honoré over retiring Cort.
"Cort was part of the preliminary squad. I would like to say that of course you will not be selected because it is your last World Championship. We cannot know that, so we have tried to field the strongest riders we could. Magnus is one of those who has been in the running, but one of those who unfortunately has not been selected," manager of the Danish Cycling Union Morten Bennekou explains the decision.
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