Mathieu van der Poel Plays Down His World Championships Chances

Mathieu van der Poel has played down his chances of securing a second road race world title in Canada next Sunday. The rider stated that the upcoming course in Montreal is "a little too difficult" for him.

The absence of Tadej Pogačar has placed the Road World Championships road race in a new, more open light for the contenders.

Van der Poel is a former world champion from 2023. In addition, he made the podium two years ago on a Zurich course that featured more elevation gain than the upcoming route in Montreal.