Not Pogacar, Evenepoel or Roglic, Jens Voigt backs Van der Poel to defend Rainbow Jersey in Zurich: "Mathieu is my personal favourite for the title"

The men's elite road race at the 2024 World Championships in Zurich is now just days away. As such, many experts and pundits from across the cycling world are weighing in with their predictions. In Jens Voigt's opinion, Mathieu van der Poel is the man most likely to take the victory.

"It's as clear as day to me: I expect Tadej Pogacar, Remco Evenepoel and Mathieu van der Poel to be in the top three places - I just don't know in which order," the experienced German previews in his pre-race analysis for Eurosport. "All three have legitimate claims to say: Yes, I want to, I can and I will win. If I had to decide on the winner, I would choose van der Poel."

It's not unfair to say Voigt's predictions goes somewhat against the grain. The majority of experts seem to think the hilly course favours Pogacar and Evenepoel over the 2023 world champion, but Voigt isn't so sure. "Mathieu has lost some weight again and looks much thinner and slimmer. He lacks a bit of the punch that used to define him. But he is tough and was in very good shape at the Tour de Luxembourg," he explains. "I think he has a real chance of defending his world championship title because he has prepared specifically for it. Mathieu is my personal favourite for the title."

Against Evenepoel and Pogacar though, it's going to be far from easy. "There's no question that Remco is also in very good form. He has won three of the four major titles this year: double gold at the Olympics and the World Championship time trial. He has also already been world champion on the road - so he knows how it's done," Voigt concedes. "Remco is confident and motivated to the core. What also speaks in his favour in my view is that Wout van Aert is not there, so there is no co-captain for Belgium, just helpers for Remco."

In the Slovenian team alongside Pogacar, also starts the wildcard for the race, Primoz Roglic. Voigt though, doesn't the see the experienced Roglic as a contender. "After the two crashes at the Tour de France, he has turned his full focus to the Vuelta and was very successful there. The Vuelta was the highlight of his season. Primoz is simply tired now after a long season. Since, in my opinion, he has no chance of making the podium, he will submit himself and ride for his captain - even if Roglic and Pogacar are not the best of friends who invite each other to barbecues."