This should not be missed under any circumstances. The unique context of a world championship. A long and demanding course which promises an exciting race. But above all a dream trio to liven it up and keep everyone in suspense until the finish line. That Tadej Pogacar, Mathieu van der Poel and Remco Evenepoel are all three lined up at the start of an event is already enough to make it a blockbuster. But with the rainbow jersey as an issue, it takes on yet another dimension.
“The Worlds are the most beautiful raceestimates Jacky Durand, winner of the Tour of Flanders in 1992 and consultant for Eurosport. Here we have the best on the cycling planet for the most beautiful jerseys. Pogacar has been huge at the Tour, Giro and other classics. Evenepoel has already been world champion in the youth categories, he is a machine. Then we have Van der Poel, who knows how to set goals each time and respond. For me there are four greats in world cycling: Pogacar, Evenepoel, van der Poel and van Aert (absent due to injury, Editor’s note).“
“Pogacar is capable of unplugging”
It’s difficult to pick out a favorite from this royal trio. Even if the name of Pogacar necessarily comes to mind, as the Slovenian has proven his ability to crush the competition on all terrains, stage races (Tour, Giro), as well as one-day races (Strade Bianche, Liège -Bastogne-Liège, Montreal GP). “Pogacar is the one who is having the best seasonjudge Jacky Durand, aware of his thwarted history with the Worlds so far. He is able to unplug. If there is a little doubt, he can let it go in his head more easily than others. But otherwise, everyone knows what he’s going to do and yet no one can follow him.” Finding a rival in these conditions is already a feat.
Tadej Pogacar, Remco Evenepoel and Mathieu van der Poel: a royal trio for the rainbow jersey in the World Cup road race
Credit: Quentin Guichard
This says a lot about the level of van der Poel and Evenepoel. Of the two, the Dutchman is certainly the one who is moving forward with the least certainty, in the sense that his main feats of arms date back to the spring with his fabulous Tour of Flanders – Paris-Roubaix double. But that only makes him more formidable. “Van der Poel, when we look at his results, he is capable of the best and the worstanalyse Jacky Durand. But the worst part, there aren’t many. He gives himself fewer goals, but when there is one he is there and he will be there when we see the sacrifices he made for the Worlds. He lost weight to be able to follow Pogacar, it shows his determination.”
“Evenepoel is the most talented”
That of Evenepoel no longer needs to be proven. The Belgian is a unique talent, illustrated by an Olympic double whose significance is even broader. “For me he is the most gifted of all, recognizes Jacky Durand. But the equation is simple: if he wants to be world champion, he must arrive alone. If he arrives with Van der Poel and Pogacar, he will make three. The question is, is he capable of letting go of Pogacar and Van der Poel? But I think he is capable of it when we see what he did at the Olympics just one week after three weeks of the Tour de France. It’s an achievement, it shows that he recovers very well, that he is not made of the same wood. He’s a gifted cyclist. He still has some shortcomings, but he can take the next step by becoming world champion.“
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Each of the three tenors has its arguments in the fight for the rainbow jersey. Taming the layout on a circuit between Wintertuhr and Zürich will be imperative in this context. Even if, despite its length (274 kilometers) and its altitude difference (4000 m), it will not necessarily be decisive. “No one is handicapped by the routeannounces Jacky Durand. Maybe Pogacar, because the climbs are steep but not long enough. He would perhaps have liked climbs one or two kilometers longer, there are a succession of hills but the effort is never very long. It’s more of a puncher’s circuit. At Worlds, there are no surprises. We will find the strong men of the year in the finale.”
Three under the red flame, “the dream scenario”
The stage is set. But a surprise is not impossible. The name of Marc Hirschi is often cited to interfere in this battle of leaders. “Hirschi is a bit of a free electron, a bit of the one who can redistribute the cardsconfirms Jacky Durand. He has a good burst of speed, he is in good condition, he is at home. But the surprise effect… I think Van der Poel, Pogacar and Evenepoel put him among the favorites. He doesn’t have the same track record, but they know that beating Hirschi if he comes with them can be complicated. But I remain convinced that he is below, that he is above all an outsider.”
So, there will perhaps only be three left at the flame rouge to compete for the rainbow jersey. It’s a bit of the fantasy of these Worlds, while waiting to declare the winner. “Evenepoelpredicts Jacky Durand. EObviously, I take risks. But I think if all three of them arrive together, there will be a marking between Van der Poel and Pogacar because they know they are the fastest. Imagine the three runners with the red flame, Evenepoel who leaves and the two others who look at each other to compete for the silver medal. This is the dream scenario.“It will be up to van der Poel and Pogacar to draw another one. But whoever it is, we are salivating in advance at this battle of the leaders.
