As the 2024 UCI Road World Championships reach their climax this weekend, the elite men’s road race promises a fierce contest between cycling’s biggest names. Taking place on Sunday, 29th September, the 273.9 km route in Zurich will be a climbers’ battleground, with favourites like Tadej Pogačar, 2023 World Champion Mathieu van der Poel, and Remco Evenepoel all eyeing the coveted rainbow jersey.
Tadej Pogačar (Slovenia)
Pogačar, already cemented as one of the sport’s greats, has had a dominant 2024 season, winning both the Giro d’Italia and Tour de France. Now, the Slovenian aims to complete the prestigious Grand Slam of cycling with a World Championships victory. The Zurich course, with its repeated climbs on the Zürichbergstrasse and Witikon, suits the versatile 26-year-old. After his commanding victory at the Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal, Pogačar admitted, “This is the best parcours in a World Championships for me so far… I’m more excited than ever before.” He will be backed by a strong Slovenian squad, including Primož Roglič, but will be expected to lead the charge.
Photo Credit: GettyMathieu van der Poel (Netherlands)
The defending world champion, Mathieu van der Poel, arrives in Zurich after a solid but not spectacular late-season campaign. The Dutchman, known for his explosiveness on tougher courses, has shed weight to better handle the numerous climbs on the Zurich circuit. Although he showed good form at the Tour de Luxembourg and European Championships, van der Poel will need to be at his very best to contend with Pogačar and Evenepoel. With questions over whether he can survive the repeated climbs, his ability to manage attacks from riders like Pogačar will be crucial.
Photo Credit: GettyRemco Evenepoel (Belgium)
Belgium’s Remco Evenepoel heads to Zurich with both momentum and pressure on his side. After a stellar performance at the Paris Olympics, Evenepoel is expected to lead Belgium in the absence of Wout van Aert. Although he has shown signs of fatigue since his double gold in Paris, Evenepoel is always a danger on a challenging course like this. He could gain an extra boost if he wins the time trial title earlier in the week, and his aggressive racing style makes him a threat from long range.
Photo Credit: Sprint Cycling AgencyMads Pedersen (Denmark)
Danish rider Mads Pedersen, a powerful sprinter, enters the World Championships with a psychological edge after beating van der Poel in Luxembourg. However, Pedersen faces the same dilemma as many others: how to stay on Pogačar’s wheel during the climbs. His strength will come into play if he survives the climbs and the race comes down to a sprint, but keeping up with the relentless pace of the climbing specialists could be his biggest challenge.
Photo Credit: GettyMarc Hirschi (Switzerland)
Home favourite Marc Hirschi will have all of Switzerland’s hopes resting on his shoulders. Hirschi has been on a winning streak, claiming five consecutive one-day victories, and is in prime form for the Zurich course. However, with Pogačar as his teammate at UAE Team Emirates, there is added complexity to their rivalry. “On a perfect day, Hirschi could beat Pogačar, but it would be a huge upset,” according to VeloNews. Still, Hirschi’s form and local knowledge of the climbs make him a dangerous contender.
Photo Credit: GettyOther Riders to Watch
Michael Matthews, the Australian GP de Québec winner, is another rider to keep an eye on. His ability to stay with the leaders on the climbs and unleash a powerful sprint makes him a podium contender. Similarly, Great Britain’s Tom Pidcock, who missed the Canada races due to a crash, has focused his preparation on Zurich and could surprise with a strong performance.
Primož Roglič will play a supporting role for Pogačar but remains a serious threat if given the opportunity. Meanwhile, Eritrean rider Biniam Girmay will look to build on his impressive 2024 Tour de France campaign, where he claimed three stage wins and the green jersey. Although he lacks a strong team, Girmay’s ability to survive hard races and sprint for victory makes him a dark horse.
The 2024 World Championships in Zurich are set to be a climber’s race, with 4500 metres of elevation across six hours of racing. With so many top riders in form, the outcome is impossible to predict, but Pogačar, van der Poel, and Evenepoel will undoubtedly be the centre of attention.
