"Sometimes Remco's confidence can backfire – Tadej will be angry": Giulio Ciccone expects Evenepoel & Pogacar to ignite Kigali Worlds road race from distance

Giulio Ciccone believes the men’s World Championship road race in Kigali could explode long before the finishing circuits, with Remco Evenepoel and Tadej Pogacar both carrying unfinished business into Sunday’s showdown.

“Remco will be full of confidence, but sometimes that can backfire,” the Italian hopeful told Bici.Pro after touching down in Rwanda on Tuesday morning. “When I saw him catch Pogacar in the time trial, it almost made me angry – I can only imagine what Tadej felt. I sense the race will light up early, and we’ll need to be there as a team.”

In terms of his own ambitions, the 30-year-old will once again lead the Azzurri, but unlike Zurich 2024 he feels in far stronger condition. A full block of altitude training, San Sebastian, Burgos and a complete Vuelta – albeit disrupted by antibiotics – have given him a much more solid base. “Last year I only rode part of the Vuelta and I’d already raced the Tour, so the build-up was completely different,” he explained. “This time my condition is better. The antibiotics were a setback, but I recovered in time. In the last days at home the sensations were good and the numbers convincing.”

Preparation has been centred on recovery rather than heavy mileage. “After a Grand Tour you usually switch off, especially mentally. This time there was no break – the World Championships came too quickly. That’s been more stressful than the physical side.”

Ciccone praised the atmosphere fostered by new national selector Marco Villa, who has sought to recapture the old sense of squadra. “Straight away we clicked,” Ciccone said. “I liked his way of working, especially on the human side. His focus has been on creating a united group, people who know each other and are friends. We don’t have a Pogacar, but what can make the difference is racing as a team, like the national squads of old. That’s what had been missing.”

Villa consulted Ciccone on the line-up, with Pellizzari originally set to travel before being struck down by illness. Garofoli will now take his place, while Fausto Masnada was drafted in after showing strong form and benefiting from his long-standing friendship with Ciccone. “Those who watched Fausto closely saw he was back at a good level. I know him well, he’s a real team player, and everyone respects that. He can be a fundamental piece in the race,” Ciccone noted.

Victory in San Sebastian earlier this summer reinforced Ciccone’s conviction that one-day races are where he can truly shine. “It gave me a lot of confidence,” he admitted. “In three-week Grand Tours, after 8–9 days my body always gives out. It’s not about form or belief – even if Michele Bartoli still believes I can – it’s just how I am. So I have to make the most of my characteristics. The data says I’m better in shorter stage races and the Classics, and I’m using that motivation now.”

The Italians began their reconnaissance on Wednesday, with Masnada already confirming the severity of the course. “The circuit is brutally tough,” he said, highlighting in particular the cobbled run-in which is expected to wreak havoc in the finale.

For Ciccone, though, the real action may come well before the closing laps: “Remco has the confidence, Tadej has the anger – and when those two start sparring, the rest of us have to be ready.”