“We shouldn’t pretend otherwise" - Wout van Aert's honest World Championships without Pogacar admission ahead of Sunday showdown
CyclingSaturday, 26 September 2026 at 10:42
Wout van Aert is honest in his assessment of the World Championships without Tadej Pogacar, admitting that the race instantly crossed his mind when he heard about the world champion's crash.
UAE leader and reigning rainbow jersey Pogacar crashed while leading the Vuelta a Espana, ultimately ending his season after suffering a broken collarbone, broken vertebrae and concussion. His absence almost entirely changes the complexion of this weekend's race.
With Pogacar fancied to unleash a long-range attack similar to his 2024 and 2025 victories, his absence now opens the race to a host of favourites and outsiders alike. Wout van Aert fits somewhere in between favourite and outsider as teammate to frontrunner Remco Evenepoel.
“We shouldn’t pretend otherwise,” he said, reported by Het Nieuwsblad. “When I heard about his crash, I immediately thought about it.”
“Without him, my chances increase. Everyone’s chances increase. With Tadej, the large majority of riders would simply adapt their race around him.”
Wout van Aert ahead of the 2026 World Championships in Montreal
Van Aert sees big chance on Sunday
Van Aert knows the course, finishing second in the 2022 GP de Montreal after using the second half of the lap to keep in touch following the circuit's climb - which favours the lighter and mountain-loving riders.
“That second place obviously strengthened my belief that something is possible here on Sunday. Is that something new? Apart from races that end in a bunch sprint, I’m always racing against those lightweight guys.
“But I still think this is a different World Championship from Kigali last year or Sallanches next year. Those are really for climbers. This one isn’t. You can see that from the field as well.”
To say the Flemish rider is at least bullish is the best reading of the situation. While noting Mathieu van der Poel as a candidate for the win, he can't deny that all needs to go perfectly for him while Evenepoel, Paul Seixas and Isaac del Toro have a little more room to breath.
“Oh, I just told Renaat Schotte [Belgian journalist, Ed.] in an interview that I give myself eight percent. That’s just guesswork, of course. I’m not going to give myself a bigger chance than Mathieu.”
An alliance with Mathieu van der Poel?
“Obviously the chances of Seixas and Remco are bigger in principle. They can still correct a situation during the race, while for me things probably really have to fall into place. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t believe.”
Van Aert circles back to his classics foe van der Poel. With similar capabilities and hurdles to overcome in the race against the climbers, could the pair put aside their rivalry and work together in an attacking move?
“Us as allies? That would be nice,” he joked. "Obviously Mathieu will be watched by everyone, just like me.
"We’re also similar types. That long Camillien Houde climb can be right on the limit for both of us. But if we do find ourselves together, I know Mathieu always races to win. He won’t have come here to settle for a podium place. In that sense, we could indeed become allies.”
Gavin QuinnCycling Journalist
Gavin Quinn is a cycling journalist and ultra-distance cyclist with a BA in Journalism from Dublin City University. Formerly the Press & Communications Officer for Cycling Ireland, Gavin has worked inside the national team at the World Championships and has reported for the Irish Mirror, Mirror UK, and The42.
His expertise is backed by elite-level access, having interviewed stars like Sam Bennett and Ben Healy, as well as immense personal endurance. In 2025, he completed a 12,000km solo cycle from Ireland to Vietnam, following a 4,600km tour across Europe. From the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix to the gradients of the Tourmalet, Gavin’s writing focuses on the "romance and brutality" of the sport. Having visited 50+ countries, he brings a global, cultural perspective to his coverage of the pro peloton for CyclingUpToDate.
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- Couldn’t agree more!anonymouscyclist26-09-2026
- Based on Remco’s style of riding vs Del Toro’s, I’d say Remco would beat Del Toro in a sprint. That being said, I don’t think it’ll come to that. Based on the women’s race today, I don’t think Remco will be able to stay with Del Toro in the final laps. Either way, we’re in for some solid, entertaining racing with a bit of drama from the Aero Bullet.anonymouscyclist26-09-2026
- Agreed, hopefully the boys will deliver as much of a spectacle tomorrow.Jumpyjohn26-09-2026
- That was incredible, what a podium! I love Longo Borghini, but my o my did Vollering deserve this win!!RidesHills26-09-2026
- YES DEMI!!! You legend! Amazing win! What. A. Race. Could not look away. What a season for Demi. Finally able to call herself champion of the world, and it’s so deserved. This jersey could not go to a better role model for young women in our sport.anonymouscyclist26-09-2026
- What a race. Everyone gave it their all.Mistermaumau26-09-2026
- Thanks, that’s possibly going to be more of a factor than any riders’ advantage.Mistermaumau26-09-2026
- You are betting on DT smoking himJumpyjohn26-09-2026
- Wout is one of the most honest cyclists in the peleton. Chapeau to him.PogiSloFans26-09-2026
- i am not assuming anything, it is Remco who is betting on his sprint against Del toroabstractengineer26-09-2026
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