“Remco is capable” – Italian ex-pro thinks Evenepoel can challenge Pogacar at the World Championships

Later this month, the 2025 UCI Road World Championships head to Rwanda, where Tadej Pogacar will arrive as the clear favourite. The Slovenian star, reigning champion and four-time Tour de France winner, will face a mountainous course tailored to his strengths. Remco Evenepoel, the 2022 world champion, will also line up, but Jonas Vingegaard has decided not to take part. Speaking to Bici Sport, former professional and television commentator Riccardo Magrini shared his thoughts on the season so far and what might unfold in Rwanda.

Looking back at the highlights of the 2025 season, one race stood out immediately in Magrini’s mind. “Well, the move was Pogacar's on the Cipressa. Van der Poel clearly burned Ganna, but I think that was the best race of the whole year. All races are beautiful, but I have to say this Sanremo, the Sanremo of 2025, for how it was developed and how it evolved, especially in the thrilling finale… it impressed me a lot. It was truly beautiful.”

Attention now shifts to Rwanda. Can Pogacar be beaten? “Cycling is a very beautiful thing because nothing can be taken for granted, even with those who are stronger on paper.

“We thought that Vingegaard would sweep the Angliru, and then it wasn’t like that. Almeida won very well, I’d say. I didn’t see Vingegaard as being exactly super dominant, so I think there’s a way to beat Pogacar because it’s not necessarily true that he’s a race killer. Although I have to say that the Rwanda route looks very tough and suits him. I think he’s difficult to beat, but I have hope for our guys too. There could even be a small chance, why not?”

If anyone can challenge Pogacar, Magrini points to Evenepoel. “Then, of course, there’s Remco Evenepoel, who, if we’re talking about the World Championships, was the world champion in 2022. We know that Remco has made us fall in love over the years with his long-distance attacks. This season brought a lot of bad luck — a late start, then a Tour that ended early.

“His problem was the comeback. Having immediately beaten Van Aert in his first race after a long time deceived everyone a little, including us and those commenting. The Tour didn’t live up to his prestige, his strength, because he probably rushed a bit to get to that point. From experience, I think he hurried things and then paid for it. Now he’s had time to reflect on what he’s done, and I think he’s someone who could even win. Even though it’s a very tough circuit, Remco is capable. In the end, he’s already shown it. He didn’t just finish third, he was second in Lombardy. Cycling isn’t mathematics, it’s not just numbers. The mind counts too, and he has shown many times that he’s a champion.”

One major absentee will be Vingegaard, and Magrini admitted he was disappointed. “He won’t do the World Championships. Did this choice surprise me? No, I absolutely don’t agree. I’m for having them all. I’d like to see all of them: Van Aert, Van der Poel, Evenepoel, Roglic. I’d like them all. He doesn’t do it, it’s his choice. He’ll do the European Championships, which I hear is quite tough too, but the European Championships aren’t the World Championships. There’s no point hiding. If he were there and beat Pogacar, it would be nice, but I think it’ll be tough.”

The Italian perspective naturally came up as well. “As for the Italian riders, we said Milan, green jersey at the Tour. Naturally, Ganna is now growing at the Vuelta, preparing for the European Championships, etc. We saw Ciccone, extraordinary in San Sebastian, and Pellizzari.

“Which Italian has excited me the most so far this season? Ciccone for sure, because he came back strong and did great in San Sebastian. He was very good and showed it. I don’t agree with the year he’s having at the Vuelta, because I would have thought more about the Worlds given the form he has. But these are our feelings and hypotheses from the outside. He wanted to do GC, he’s doing GC, he’s still in the top 10. But in my opinion, Ciccone would have been better not to make those efforts at the Vuelta.

“What impressed me most, strangely, was Ganna. I’m sorry he had to give up so quickly at the Tour de France, because Ganna is a rider I’d like to see show more. He was on the podium again this year at Sanremo. He excites in the time trial and I think Ganna could do more for Italy. Pellizzari did well, but I’d like him to dare a little more.

“Among the Italians, the biggest disappointment is Tiberi. I’m sorry, because Antonio is very intelligent, but he has missed basically three Grand Tours. Then Italy this year has good riders like Scaroni. I might forget others, but Italy’s cycling this year seems strong to me. Then there are the misfortunes — Caruso getting injured before the Vuelta was a real blow. He was perfect to be a link with Tiberi.”

Magrini also looked ahead to the new generation. “The Tour de l’Avenir showed good things. There are other young guys who will have to prove themselves, like Nordhagen. At 18 years old, to do what he’s doing is incredible. He won the Tour de l’Avenir in style and is strong in time trials. Now he’ll do the Elite World Championships and Lombardy at 18 years old. He’s a good prospect, but it seems like they’re racing him a bit too much, though that’s fine.”

As for his personal calendar, one race matters more than any other. “Which one am I most looking forward to? The World Championship, the World Championship, the World Championship. September 28th, I think, is the one we’re all waiting for. First of all, we’ll see Pogacar again. We’ll see him both in Canada — in Montreal and Quebec — and then at the Worlds. The route has also changed, maybe he’ll win both. Just for a change, just for a change. I think he’s hungry enough. But yes, it’s the race that always motivates me the most: the World Championships. So, let’s wait for the World Championships.”