Pidcock, Onley, Simmons, McNulty - UK and USA within a serious shot of conquering world championships title
CyclingThursday, 24 September 2026 at 21:00
The United States and United Kingdom may be heading towards a historical edition of the World Championships. Both nations carry several contenders to win the rainbow jersey this Sunday in Montréal. On the CyclingUpToDate Podcast, Rúben Silva and Gavin Quinn have debated the chances of both teams taking the spotlight.
The British team sees Tom Pidcock, Oscar Onley and Adam Yates in the lead - three distinct riders with their own specialties, who can each win the race in their own way.
"Pidcock is a very strong contender to take the win and Oscar Onley is perhaps the most underrated out of all the victory contenders in this race," Rúben Silva argued. "Maybe because he was in the Vuelta he wasn't really discussed as one of the potential winners of course.
Silva is very high on the Netcompany INEOS rider, winner of a Vuelta a Burgos stage after making his comeback this summer; whilst having won the youth classification and finished sixth at the Vuelta a España.
"I believe Onley is a very strong sprinter [amongst the climbers] and he's very good in the punchy climbs, he can do really well".
Adam Yates goes into World Championships as one of the former winners in Montréal
Quinn agreed with it, but argued that former GP de Montréal winner Adam Yates is equally as dangerous. "Oscar Onley is no slouch and can finish well, and no doubt we'll see other British like Adam Yates was in the top 10 of GP Montreal as well in my list of riders - kind of that wildcard 20 riders or so".
"I have Oscar Onley/Adam Yates, one of them to try and make a big move and to see, kind of test the waters because Ben Healy was a good example at the GP Montreal. If you if you can get away at the right time you can capitalize on those other riders kind of playing with their food a little bit".
With Remco Evenepoel, Paul Seixas and Isaac del Toro as the main headliners into the race; both Great Britain and the United States get to enjoy the lack of spotlight that can benefit them during the race.
Coming from La Vuelta, Oscar Onley is one of the outsiders for the world championships
USA, potential winners in Montréal?
"They have Quinn Simmons, they have Brandon McNulty, the team is strong as a whole but these two riders for the second part of the circuit - they are perfect," Silva argued, seeing the USA as perhaps the most dangerous team outside of the Evenepoel-Seixas-Del Toro circle.
"Both riders have such an impressive track record at the GP Montréal: Last year McNulty won, Simmons was third; this year they were third and fourth. They are both very good for this kind of explosive circuit and I don't think that they're marked men the same way as Evenepoel, Seixas, Van Aert, van der Poel".
The journalist singled out how both riders are incredibly strong on the rolling terrain inbetween the main ascent to Mount Royal, and how those roads can decide the outcome of the race - whilst some riders will look to only make the difference on the main ascent.
"Each of these riders, if they attack, the whole gang is going to go after them. If Evenepoel sees a McNulty attack maybe he'll think for one or two seconds: 'Should I go after him? Maybe I should wait for Seixas or Del Toro to make a move' or vice versa".
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The underdog factor benefits these riders who carry tremendous ability, and Quinn argued that the two should absolutely look to keep that status into the race, to their benefit. "Maybe they shouldn't start the race saying I'm going to win the rainbow jersey, but they can think I can create a situation where yeah if the US play their cards right, I see so many potential opportunities for for attacking in that middle section".
The tactical knowhow and timing of attacks this Sunday can prove vital, and could also spark a surprise in the outcome of the race.
"Using Quinn Simmons and using Brandon McNulty and looking for that opportune moment where Remco Evenepoel, Isaac Del Toro, Mathieu van der Poel one of these guys is out of position looking at each other".
Rúben SilvaEditor-in-Chief
A founding contributor to CyclingUpToDate since its launch in January 2022, Ruben Silva has played a central role in shaping the site’s editorial direction and long-term growth. Before joining the project, he built his experience through independent blogging at Echelons Hub and by producing race previews for Ciclismo Internacional, developing a strong analytical voice rooted in daily engagement with professional cycling.
Beyond editorial work, he has been closely involved in the expansion and coordination of CyclingUpToDate’s wider network, helping establish and support sister platforms across multiple languages. This includes ongoing collaboration with CiclismoAlDia (Spanish), CiclismoAtual (Portuguese), WielrennenUpToDate (Dutch), and RadsportAktuell (German), contributing to a shared editorial vision and consistent international coverage.
He also helps oversee editorial governance across the network, setting standards for accuracy and consistency and coordinating updates or corrections when needed.
Originally from the Porto metropolitan area in Portugal, he holds a bachelor’s degree in Geography. His path into cycling journalism was shaped not through formal media training, but through independent reporting, community engagement, and sustained on-the-ground involvement in the sport.
Over the course of his career, he has conducted approximately 100 interviews across road cycling and cyclocross, ranging from one-to-one conversations and online formats to press conferences and on-site pre- and post-race coverage. His interviews include leading riders, team managers, and prominent figures within cycling media: Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard, Mathieu van der Poel, Primoz Roglic, Wout van Aert, Joao Almeida and Tom Pidcock; managers like Patrick Lefevere and Joxean Matxin; and YouTube personality Bryan Kennedy (BKXC)...
Within 18 months of launch, he helped grow CyclingUpToDate’s English-language platform into one of the most-read cycling news websites, built entirely from the ground up. As both a professional journalist and lifelong cycling enthusiast, his focus remains on delivering accurate, timely, and well-contextualized coverage.
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- He’s survived LBL, he’ll survive here. The rest depends on who tries what with or without who.Jumpyjohn24-09-2026
- There are quite a lot of rules about which jersey and when and how it looks but not sure about this particular facet. Seeing as you noticed, ever thought of applying to the UCI for commissaire work?Jumpyjohn24-09-2026
- Tadej seems to like everyone. You rarely hear him say anything negative, nor does anyone say much about him. One of the many things that makes him amazing.mij24-09-2026
- this is going to be such a great race - so many top riders fighting to battle it out, and it is wide open.mij24-09-2026
- In 2024 Tadej said: I actually like Remco, he speaks his mind which in many situations is OK and good, but sometimes it would be good to say nothing. It depends on the situation. I have a good time with him, we laugh and joke around a bit."PogiSloFans24-09-2026
- I think MVDP and Tadej like him a lot too. not sure about europeans, small e intentional as everything in europe is smaller than the USA.mij24-09-2026
- Especially when they see that redneck maga cyclist, wrapped in an ugly american flag, with long hair and a mustache. Boo maga boooooooo ...PogiSloFans24-09-2026
- "My pick for the win is Isaac Del Toro" Hey Santiego, I would be thrilled if Del Toro won. I hope your words become gold... because Del Toro is the "student" of "professor" Pogi. :)) If Wout V. Aert wins, I will also be happy. He's a great cyclist and a good person, more good hearted and kind compared to Remco, but Remco is also a BIG favorite.PogiSloFans24-09-2026
- I like Pidcock. He's one of the few riders that can give Pogi a good battle: Strade Bianche, MSR and other occasions. At MSR, this year, he went with Pogi to the finish line... yikes, he almost beat him.PogiSloFans24-09-2026
- OMG, how many records can be set in only one WC road race: Remco or Del Toro or Seixas or... ??? All because of one cyclist, that didn't make it to the WC. The same course in Montreal where he wins every year. The G.O.A.T. is injured... and some cyclists became lucky... they all got an early Christmas present from Pogi-Santa.PogiSloFans24-09-2026
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