Remco Evenepoel has delivered a revealing assessment of the Montréal course ahead of the 2026 UCI Road World Championships, warning that the demanding circuit could favour lighter climbers over heavier classics specialists such as Mathieu van der Poel and Wout van Aert.
Evenepoel’s comments came after he raced the Grand Prix de Montréal, which serves as one of the final major tests before the World Championships. The Belgian finished fifth in the race after previously winning the Grand Prix de Québec, giving him valuable experience of the roads that will decide the rainbow jersey later this month.
A course that could favour the lighter riders
The Montréal World Championship road race is expected to be one of the toughest editions in recent years. The men’s race covers 273.2 kilometres, with more than 4,300 metres of elevation gain, meaning the riders will have to cope with repeated climbs and descents before reaching the decisive final stages.
Evenepoel believes the way the longest climb is raced could be particularly demanding for riders carrying more body weight.
“With the way the longest climb is raced, it is really difficult for the heavier riders,” Evenepoel explained after competing in Montréal.
That observation could have major implications for the likes of Van Aert and Van der Poel. Both riders have the power and endurance required for long one-day races, but the Belgian believes the repeated climbing may make it harder for bigger riders to remain competitive when the strongest climbers begin attacking.
Van Aert and Van der Poel still dangerous
Evenepoel’s comments should not be interpreted as ruling out Van Aert or Van der Poel.
Both remain among the major names expected to influence the race, particularly because the absence of defending champion Tadej Pogačar has completely changed the balance of power. Pogačar is out after suffering a serious crash at the Vuelta a España, leaving the World Championships considerably more open.
Van Aert will also have an important role for Belgium. Evenepoel and Van Aert are expected to be the country’s two principal leaders, creating an intriguing tactical situation. Belgium could potentially use Van Aert’s strength and versatility while allowing Evenepoel to attack on the hardest sections.
Van der Poel, meanwhile, possesses the explosive acceleration and experience to survive difficult classics-style races. Even on a climbing-heavy course, it would be dangerous for the opposition to underestimate him.
Evenepoel enters as one of the favourites
Evenepoel’s own form has strengthened his position among the leading contenders. He won the GP de Québec before finishing fifth in Montréal, although he admitted that he lacked some freshness and punch in the latter race. He insisted that there was no reason to panic and viewed the weekend primarily as preparation for the World Championships.
The Belgian has an even bigger objective in Montréal. He is targeting both the individual time trial and road race titles and could become the first elite men’s rider to win both world titles in the same year.
A wide-open battle for the rainbow jersey
With Pogačar absent, the list of potential winners has expanded significantly. Evenepoel is one of the favourites, while riders such as Tom Pidcock, Isaac del Toro and Paul Seixas are also expected to play major roles.
Pidcock, in particular, has already tested the Montréal course and finished sixth in the recent GP de Montréal. He believes the final laps around Mount Royal will be crucial and has identified Del Toro and Seixas among the riders to watch.
For Van Aert and Van der Poel, however, Evenepoel’s warning highlights the central question: can the heavier classics specialists survive the relentless climbing before their power becomes decisive?
The answer will emerge when the men’s road race takes place in Montréal on September 26, with the World Championships running from September 21 to 27.
Either way, Evenepoel’s assessment has added another fascinating tactical dimension to a World Championship already transformed by Pogačar’s absence.
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