{"id":2095312,"date":"2026-08-15T15:56:23","date_gmt":"2026-08-15T12:56:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2095312"},"modified":"2026-08-15T15:56:23","modified_gmt":"2026-08-15T12:56:23","slug":"michael-woods-to-come-out-of-road-retirement-for-home-world-championships-in-montreal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2095312","title":{"rendered":"Michael Woods to come out of road retirement for home World Championships in Montr\u00e9al"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AmmDKwfABUctnz4XJLdD2W-2000-80.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article class=\"m-0 box-border flex flex-row items-center pr-2.5 gap-[15px] w-[278px] h-20 flex-none upnext-article-divider\" role=\"listitem\" aria-label=\"Recommended article 1 of 3\">\n<div class=\"relative flex-none w-20 h-20\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qHAc3KmE4Ak5KqwVFuKpCF-160-80.jpg.webp 160w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qHAc3KmE4Ak5KqwVFuKpCF-80-80.jpg.webp 80w\" sizes=\"80px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex items-center justify-center absolute w-4 h-6 left-0 top-0 bg-white\/90 flex-none z-[1]\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span class=\"font-normal text-base leading-[17px] tracking-[1.3px] uppercase text-black flex-none\">1<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex flex-col items-center justify-center gap-1.5 w-[173px] h-20 flex-none\">\n<p class=\"font-article-heading font-medium text-base leading-[21px] text-gray-800 w-[173px] line-clamp-3 group-hover:underline\">\n                                    Quinn Simmons returns to Leadville Trail 100 MTB seven years on from his extraordinary teenage debut\n                                <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"m-0 box-border flex flex-row items-center pr-2.5 gap-[15px] w-[278px] h-20 flex-none upnext-article-divider\" role=\"listitem\" aria-label=\"Recommended article 2 of 3\">\n<div class=\"relative flex-none w-20 h-20\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yJ5aUr4FYgPPi8KC77ZVcW-160-80.jpg.webp 160w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yJ5aUr4FYgPPi8KC77ZVcW-80-80.jpg.webp 80w\" sizes=\"80px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex items-center justify-center absolute w-[18px] h-6 left-0 top-0 bg-white\/90 flex-none z-[1]\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span class=\"font-normal text-base leading-[17px] tracking-[1.3px] uppercase text-black flex-none\">2<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex flex-col items-center justify-center gap-1.5 w-[173px] h-20 flex-none\">\n<p class=\"font-article-heading font-medium text-base leading-[21px] text-gray-800 w-[173px] line-clamp-3 group-hover:underline\">\n                                    Leadville Trail 100 MTB contenders 2026 &#8211; Can anyone unseat Keegan Swenson and who can take the top spot vacated by Kate Courtney?\n                                <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"m-0 box-border flex flex-row items-center pr-2.5 gap-[15px] w-[278px] h-20 flex-none\" role=\"listitem\" aria-label=\"Recommended article 3 of 3\">\n<div class=\"relative flex-none w-20 h-20\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/k9zmDrDg9CYQpyHK4MVWeJ-160-80.jpg.webp 160w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/k9zmDrDg9CYQpyHK4MVWeJ-80-80.jpg.webp 80w\" sizes=\"80px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex items-center justify-center absolute w-[18px] h-6 left-0 top-0 bg-white\/90 flex-none z-[1]\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span class=\"font-normal text-base leading-[17px] tracking-[1.3px] uppercase text-black flex-none\">3<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex flex-col items-center justify-center gap-1.5 w-[173px] h-20 flex-none\">\n<p class=\"font-article-heading font-medium text-base leading-[21px] text-gray-800 w-[173px] line-clamp-3 group-hover:underline\">\n                                    From road to gravel then back to road: Why is Wout van Aert racing the Belgian Gravel Championships for the first time ever this Sunday?\n                                <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"page-content-onecol flex-1\nnews-article article\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"widget-area-group widget-area-group-2col flex flex-wrap box-border\">\n<div id=\"widgetArea16\" class=\"widget-area basis-full md:basis-2\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-2-3 page-widget-area-16\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"hero\" id=\"hero\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-hero widget-hero widget-hero-hero widget-hero widget-hero-fter-news\">\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nTeams &amp; Riders\n<\/li>\n<li>\nMichael Woods\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>Michael Woods to come out of road retirement for home World Championships in Montr\u00e9al<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"vds-byline-block flex flex-row flex-nowrap my-1.5 gap-2 text-left items-start justify-start\" data-component-name=\"Article:BylineBlock\">\n<p>News<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-auto vds-simple-byline\"><span class=\"inline-block vds-author\"><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nPatrick Fletcher <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex gap-1 vds-byline-with-avatar__meta\"><span class=\"vds-date block font-normal tracking-normal normal-case text-xs\"><br \/>\nPublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-08-15T15:56:23Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n15 August 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">38-year-old Canadian has been racing gravel and is making his Leadville MTB debut but it&#8217;s soon back to three of the biggest road events<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"text-gray-700 flex items-center mx-0 my-5 p-0 justify-start text-left\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-[color:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--text-color,inherit)] mb-2 text-[length:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--font-size,0.75rem)] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-inherit [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"contentparsed\" id=\"content\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-contentparsed widget-content widget-contentparsed-content widget-content-parsed widget-content-parsed-content_document \">\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<section class=\"content-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"box less-space hero-image-wrapper\">\n<figure class=\"mb-0\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AmmDKwfABUctnz4XJLdD2W-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AmmDKwfABUctnz4XJLdD2W-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AmmDKwfABUctnz4XJLdD2W-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AmmDKwfABUctnz4XJLdD2W-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AmmDKwfABUctnz4XJLdD2W-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AmmDKwfABUctnz4XJLdD2W-750-80.jpg.webp 750w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AmmDKwfABUctnz4XJLdD2W-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AmmDKwfABUctnz4XJLdD2W-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AmmDKwfABUctnz4XJLdD2W-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 600px, 100vw\" \/><figcaption class=\"font-article-copy text-(--image--text--color) font-article-copy mt-2\"><span class=\"caption-text font-article-copy\">Michael Woods with the bronze medal for Canada with the Men&#8217;s Elite Road Race at 2018 Road World Championships<\/span><span class=\"credit font-article-copy\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto paywall-locker\">\n<div data-analytics-id=\"utility-bar\" id=\"utility-bar\" class=\"font-ui-heading flex justify-between items-center py-2 border-t border-b border-gray-300 border-solid mb-5 mx-auto\" data-component-name=\"UtilityBar\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"utility-bar\">\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div data-component-name=\"Social:Dropdown\" role=\"menu\" id=\"utilitybar__dropdown--share\" aria-labelledby=\"utilitybar__button--share\" class=\"absolute left-0 top-full w-44 bg-white rounded-md shadow-md border border-neutral-200 z-[9996] list-none m-0 py-2 px-3 border-solid\">\n<ul class=\"m-0!\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Facebook<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>X<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Pinterest<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Email<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-share-this-article\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nShare this article\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\"><span class=\"ml-1 inline-flex h-5 px-2 shrink-0 items-center justify-center self-center overflow-hidden whitespace-nowrap rounded-[10px] bg-primary-500 text-[11px] leading-none font-ui-heading font-semibold text-white\">0<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-join-the-conversation\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nJoin the conversation\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p>Follow us<\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-add-us-as-a-preferred-source-on-google\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nAdd us as a preferred source on Google\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-05c33116-98be-11f1-905d-2b1317a93815\">Canada have unveiled their squads for the upcoming UCI Road World Championships on home soil, and there&#8217;s plenty of quality but one name that stands out.<\/p>\n<p>Michael Woods, the 28-year-old who retired from road racing at the end of 2025, is on the list of list of six names.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-05c33116-98be-11f1-905d-2b1317a93815-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Woods, a former distance runner who came late to cycling but earned considerable success, including a stage win at the Tour de France and the silver medal at the 2018 Road Worlds, has joined the gravel circuit in 2026 amid his road racing retirement.<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-6 w-full overflow-hidden rounded-[10px] lg:my-8\" data-component-name=\"JwPlayer:Carousel\" data-jwp-carousel data-jwp-carousel-payload=\"{&quot;ids&quot;:{&quot;playerID&quot;:&quot;jYDCcabO&quot;,&quot;searchPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;divID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;fallbackPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;fallbackDivID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;key&quot;:&quot;X9\/mXVGac0NphghLH9hZaqWA5d3dhAM\/Ih07grnEyMLjuO2E&quot;,&quot;tintLogo&quot;:true,&quot;useSearchPlaylist&quot;:false,&quot;enabled&quot;:true},&quot;signPostingEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;signPostingLinkEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;waitForAdLoad&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnDesktop&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnMobile&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnTablet&quot;:false}\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-nowrap items-center justify-between gap-3 bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-header>\n<div class=\"flex min-w-0 shrink items-center\"><span class=\"inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 text-sm font-article-heading capitalize leading-5 text-white whitespace-nowrap\"><span class=\"jwp-carousel-title-desktop\">Latest Videos From<\/span><span class=\"jwp-carousel-brand\">Cyclingnews<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"min-h-[44px] bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting><a class=\"invisible block truncate text-sm font-bold leading-5 text-white underline decoration-solid underline-offset-2\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting-link href target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-jwp-carousel-signposting-title>Watch full video here: <\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">He&#8217;s even branching into mountain biking, lining up in his first flat-bar race at Leadville Trail 100 MTB on Saturday. However, he&#8217;ll soon be back on the road after being selected for one of the very biggest races in the world, the elite men&#8217;s road race at the UCI Road World Championships, taking place in Montr\u00e9al.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Michael Woods, a Tour de France stage winner, three\u2011time Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a stage winner, double La Route d\u2019Occitanie GC champion, and former World Championships podium finisher, joins the team with world class experience and leadership,&#8221; read a statement from Cycling Canada announcing their elite men&#8217;s squad.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/U9oydRCbjcpWkkPxYR9wfa-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/U9oydRCbjcpWkkPxYR9wfa-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;Into the unknown&#8217; \u2013 Michael Woods steps into first Unbound with finishing as primary goal but top 10 would be &#8216;super cool&#8217;<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/k9zmDrDg9CYQpyHK4MVWeJ-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/k9zmDrDg9CYQpyHK4MVWeJ-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">From road to gravel then back to road: Why is Wout van Aert racing the Belgian Gravel Championships for the first time ever this Sunday?<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jFTDUYkRUwn6oKNGgNaioj-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jFTDUYkRUwn6oKNGgNaioj-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">J\u00e9r\u00f4me Gauthier powers through rain and reduced breakaway to victory at the Canadian Road Championships<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Canada will be led by Lidl-Trek&#8217;s Derek Gee-West, with support coming from fellow WorldTour pros Hugo Houle, Michael Leonard, and Pier-Andr\u00e9 C\u00f4t\u00e9, while the squad is rounded out by Nickolas Zukowsky, who rides for the second-tier Pinarello Q36.5 team.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Woods, then, is an outlier. But this unusual arrangement will scratch an itch, allowing him a farewell on home soil after his planned swan song at last year&#8217;s GP de Montr\u00e9al failed to materialise due to a hernia injury.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-KhPqgVwbFDVAHEKysSxU33\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-KhPqgVwbFDVAHEKysSxU33 slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I really wanted to end my career in Montr\u00e9al. I didn\u2019t do that last year do to a hernia. I ended up getting surgery for that and it wasn\u2019t the ending to my career that I wanted,&#8221; Woods told <em>Canadian Cycling Magazine<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Also, I really wanted to do Road Worlds in Montr\u00e9al but couldn\u2019t wrap my head around doing a full WorldTour calendar. I\u2019m just really glad I got the opportunity to do this alternative calendar. It\u2019s kept me in great shape. I feel really fortunate to have been selected. But I also think I did some really good racing over the course of the year to prove that I\u2019m still in good form. I think I\u2019ll still be a valuable asset to the team at Worlds.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Woods did race the national championships road race in June, but this push for Worlds comes as a more sustained spell on the road, which will include the GP de Qu\u00e9bec and GP de Montr\u00e9al WorldTour races in September in the build-up to Worlds.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qHAc3KmE4Ak5KqwVFuKpCF-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qHAc3KmE4Ak5KqwVFuKpCF-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Quinn Simmons returns to Leadville Trail 100 MTB seven years on from his extraordinary teenage debut<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZH9tPKdEpRDyEkVonao4Rf-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZH9tPKdEpRDyEkVonao4Rf-150-80.png.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;At my very best, I certainly have a chance&#8217; \u2013 Wout van Aert confident in World Championships road race bid after rediscovering top form before Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gaRs8uJ2B8bYzPxHnoottM-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gaRs8uJ2B8bYzPxHnoottM-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">UCI Gravel World Series: Adam Roberge and Haley Smith best in sprints for victories at Canada&#8217;s OG Classique<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Canada is fielding a national squad for Qu\u00e9bec and Montr\u00e9al GPs, which will act as a springboard towards Worlds for most of the sport&#8217;s biggest stars, so Woods will be able to test himself against a world-class peloton of his former contemporaries.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I\u2019m really looking forward to riding with the younger guys and hopefully I can provide some leadership to them but selfishly, I need those races to prepare for Worlds. I feel like, if I don\u2019t don\u2019t do those races, it\u2019ll be like merging onto the freeway with a moped,&#8221; Woods added.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I actually think being here at Leadville is going to be really nice preparation. It\u2019ll cap off a nice altitude block for me. I think coming out of Leadville I will be way better aerobically and then I can just focus on putting some more intensity into my training.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I\u2019m hoping that after those two races [Qu\u00e9bec and Montr\u00e9al] and a small training block in the Eastern Townships with my coach I should be ready for Worlds.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-85811fd0-98be-11f1-964f-5dcc68431074\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><strong>For unbeatable coverage across road, gravel and tech, subscribe to Cyclingnews. You&#8217;ll get comprehensive race coverage of La Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a, subscriber-exclusive analysis from our expert columnists, in-depth features and industry-leading tech insight. Plus, the Cyclingnews app lets you follow the action wherever you go! <\/strong><u><strong>Join today.<\/strong><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-KhPqgVwbFDVAHEKysSxU33\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-KhPqgVwbFDVAHEKysSxU33 slice-container-authorBio\">\n<div class=\"author author__default-layout author--separator author--collapsible\" data-hydrate=\"true\">\n<div class=\"author__header\">\n<div class=\"author__avatar-block\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"false\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding\">\n<div><source class=\"author__avatar image-wrapped__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2QoJgeVtEMbCKNujw2pLoH-140-80.jpg.webp 140w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2QoJgeVtEMbCKNujw2pLoH.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2QoJgeVtEMbCKNujw2pLoH.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2QoJgeVtEMbCKNujw2pLoH.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__heading\">\n<div class=\"author__name\">Patrick Fletcher<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__role\">Deputy Editor<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>Patrick is an NCTJ-accredited journalist with a bachelor\u2019s degree in modern languages (French and Spanish) and a decade\u2019s experience in digital sports media, largely within the world of cycling. He re-joined Cyclingnews as Deputy Editor in February 2026, having previously spent eight years on staff between 2015 and 2023. In between, he was Deputy Editor at GCN and spent 18 months working across the sports portfolio at Future before returning to the cycling press pack. Patrick works across Cyclingnews\u2019 wide-ranging output, assisting the Editor in global content strategy, with a particular focus on shaping CN&#8217;s news operation.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"relative max-w-[1070px] viafoura-twig-component mt-6 mx-4 lg:mx-0\" data-component-name=\"Viafoura:Comments\" data-nosnippet data-community-guidelines-text=\"&lt;p class=&apos;vfcustom-community-guidelines&apos;&gt;Please follow our &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/about\/#section-community-guidelines&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;community guidelines&lt;\/a&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;\" data-join-the-conversation-text=\"Join the Conversation\">\n<div class=\"absolute top-0 left-0 w-full h-full flex items-center justify-center z-50 bg-white\/90 border-1 rounded-b-[var(--comment-widget-border-radius,0)]\">\n<div class=\"p-2 text-center\">\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-lg!\">You must confirm your public display name before commenting<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-sm!\">Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"mx-2 my-5 sm:mx-0\">\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-adviser:hybrid\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Read more<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/U9oydRCbjcpWkkPxYR9wfa-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/U9oydRCbjcpWkkPxYR9wfa-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/U9oydRCbjcpWkkPxYR9wfa-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/U9oydRCbjcpWkkPxYR9wfa-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/U9oydRCbjcpWkkPxYR9wfa-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Into the unknown&#8217; \u2013 Michael Woods steps into first Unbound with finishing as primary goal but top 10 would be &#8216;super cool&#8217;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/k9zmDrDg9CYQpyHK4MVWeJ-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/k9zmDrDg9CYQpyHK4MVWeJ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/k9zmDrDg9CYQpyHK4MVWeJ-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/k9zmDrDg9CYQpyHK4MVWeJ-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/k9zmDrDg9CYQpyHK4MVWeJ-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">From road to gravel then back to road: Why is Wout van Aert racing the Belgian Gravel Championships for the first time ever this Sunday?<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jFTDUYkRUwn6oKNGgNaioj-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jFTDUYkRUwn6oKNGgNaioj-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jFTDUYkRUwn6oKNGgNaioj-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jFTDUYkRUwn6oKNGgNaioj-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jFTDUYkRUwn6oKNGgNaioj-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">J\u00e9r\u00f4me Gauthier powers through rain and reduced breakaway to victory at the Canadian Road Championships<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qHAc3KmE4Ak5KqwVFuKpCF-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qHAc3KmE4Ak5KqwVFuKpCF-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qHAc3KmE4Ak5KqwVFuKpCF-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qHAc3KmE4Ak5KqwVFuKpCF-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qHAc3KmE4Ak5KqwVFuKpCF-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Quinn Simmons returns to Leadville Trail 100 MTB seven years on from his extraordinary teenage debut<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZH9tPKdEpRDyEkVonao4Rf-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZH9tPKdEpRDyEkVonao4Rf-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZH9tPKdEpRDyEkVonao4Rf-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZH9tPKdEpRDyEkVonao4Rf-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZH9tPKdEpRDyEkVonao4Rf-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;At my very best, I certainly have a chance&#8217; \u2013 Wout van Aert confident in World Championships road race bid after rediscovering top form before Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gaRs8uJ2B8bYzPxHnoottM-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gaRs8uJ2B8bYzPxHnoottM-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gaRs8uJ2B8bYzPxHnoottM-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gaRs8uJ2B8bYzPxHnoottM-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gaRs8uJ2B8bYzPxHnoottM-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">UCI Gravel World Series: Adam Roberge and Haley Smith best in sprints for victories at Canada&#8217;s OG Classique<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-category\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Teams &amp; Riders<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/duXSrJTJ8uLBWnPzkVkHrb-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/duXSrJTJ8uLBWnPzkVkHrb-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/duXSrJTJ8uLBWnPzkVkHrb-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/duXSrJTJ8uLBWnPzkVkHrb-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/duXSrJTJ8uLBWnPzkVkHrb-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Transfers<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Part of me of still being in cycling is trying to become the best version of myself&#8217; \u2013 Human Powered Health pick up a former world champion<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mG2bgK2AihVsCy7BDp8hV4-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mG2bgK2AihVsCy7BDp8hV4-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mG2bgK2AihVsCy7BDp8hV4-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mG2bgK2AihVsCy7BDp8hV4-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mG2bgK2AihVsCy7BDp8hV4-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Transfers<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Patrick Lefevere cites &#8216;ungrateful&#8217; Mark Cavendish in analysis of Primo\u017e Rogli\u010d&#8217;s possible transfer to Lotto-Intermarch\u00e9<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8LDJPgsXAodgWTgWEYMULC-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8LDJPgsXAodgWTgWEYMULC-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8LDJPgsXAodgWTgWEYMULC-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8LDJPgsXAodgWTgWEYMULC-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8LDJPgsXAodgWTgWEYMULC-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Portuguese president, prime minister express &#8216;deep sorrow&#8217; and condolences as tributes pour in following tragic death of Finlay Tarling<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/r5RKNP3hGXAD2fh4VyjVzE-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/r5RKNP3hGXAD2fh4VyjVzE-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/r5RKNP3hGXAD2fh4VyjVzE-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/r5RKNP3hGXAD2fh4VyjVzE-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/r5RKNP3hGXAD2fh4VyjVzE-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Transfers<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Visma-Lease a Bike confirm Fabio Jakobsen joins team &#8216;with immediate effect&#8217; after Picnic-PostNL departure<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/k9zmDrDg9CYQpyHK4MVWeJ-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/k9zmDrDg9CYQpyHK4MVWeJ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/k9zmDrDg9CYQpyHK4MVWeJ-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/k9zmDrDg9CYQpyHK4MVWeJ-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/k9zmDrDg9CYQpyHK4MVWeJ-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">From road to gravel then back to road: Why is Wout van Aert racing the Belgian Gravel Championships for the first time ever this Sunday?<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9NJnkFrswLMWWQGerbrceb-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9NJnkFrswLMWWQGerbrceb-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9NJnkFrswLMWWQGerbrceb-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9NJnkFrswLMWWQGerbrceb-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9NJnkFrswLMWWQGerbrceb-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I am not sure what will happen in a race&#8217; \u2013 Former biathlon champion Emilien Jacquelin set to make his pro cycling debut<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-articletype\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in News<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/duXSrJTJ8uLBWnPzkVkHrb-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/duXSrJTJ8uLBWnPzkVkHrb-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/duXSrJTJ8uLBWnPzkVkHrb-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/duXSrJTJ8uLBWnPzkVkHrb-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/duXSrJTJ8uLBWnPzkVkHrb-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Transfers<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Part of me of still being in cycling is trying to become the best version of myself&#8217; \u2013 Human Powered Health pick up a former world champion<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mG2bgK2AihVsCy7BDp8hV4-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mG2bgK2AihVsCy7BDp8hV4-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mG2bgK2AihVsCy7BDp8hV4-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mG2bgK2AihVsCy7BDp8hV4-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mG2bgK2AihVsCy7BDp8hV4-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Transfers<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Patrick Lefevere cites &#8216;ungrateful&#8217; Mark Cavendish in analysis of Primo\u017e Rogli\u010d&#8217;s possible transfer to Lotto-Intermarch\u00e9<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PnomoR8BrKyLSbXMS2bnwh-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PnomoR8BrKyLSbXMS2bnwh-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PnomoR8BrKyLSbXMS2bnwh-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PnomoR8BrKyLSbXMS2bnwh-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PnomoR8BrKyLSbXMS2bnwh-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Volta a Portugal to continue, but without NSN Development Team, following death of Finlay Tarling<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8LDJPgsXAodgWTgWEYMULC-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8LDJPgsXAodgWTgWEYMULC-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8LDJPgsXAodgWTgWEYMULC-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8LDJPgsXAodgWTgWEYMULC-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8LDJPgsXAodgWTgWEYMULC-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Portuguese president, prime minister express &#8216;deep sorrow&#8217; and condolences as tributes pour in following tragic death of Finlay Tarling<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cSdCkTSwfGDr3ZwiuHA6iN-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cSdCkTSwfGDr3ZwiuHA6iN-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cSdCkTSwfGDr3ZwiuHA6iN-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cSdCkTSwfGDr3ZwiuHA6iN-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cSdCkTSwfGDr3ZwiuHA6iN-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Volta a Portugal organisers confirm death of Finlay Tarling after &#8216;serious accident&#8217; during stage 8<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/r5RKNP3hGXAD2fh4VyjVzE-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/r5RKNP3hGXAD2fh4VyjVzE-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/r5RKNP3hGXAD2fh4VyjVzE-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/r5RKNP3hGXAD2fh4VyjVzE-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/r5RKNP3hGXAD2fh4VyjVzE-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Transfers<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Visma-Lease a Bike confirm Fabio Jakobsen joins team &#8216;with immediate effect&#8217; after Picnic-PostNL departure<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"widgetArea17\" class=\"widget-area md:basis-1\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-1-3 page-widget-area-17\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"dynamic\" id=\"popular-data\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-dynamic widget-popular-data widget-dynamic-popular-data widget-dynamic-fter-popular-box\">\n<div class=\"wdn-fte-pb pos-relative space-t20\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"slice-container popular-box-slice\">\n<section class=\"popular-box\" data-component-name=\"Slice:PopularBox\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label__tab popular-box__label__tab--active\" role=\"heading\">\nLATEST ARTICLES\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<ol class=\"popular-box__articles-list popular-box__articles-list--active\">\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__image-wrapper\">\n<div>\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3MUtRiFjdhm6mm8o24NUUF-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3MUtRiFjdhm6mm8o24NUUF-720-80.jpg.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3MUtRiFjdhm6mm8o24NUUF-640-80.jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3MUtRiFjdhm6mm8o24NUUF-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"99vw\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">1<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>Czech Tour: In total control AJ August launches early on final climb to win stage 3<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">2<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>&#8216;Part of me of still being in cycling is trying to become the best version of myself&#8217; \u2013 Human Powered Health pick up a former world champion<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">3<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>Patrick Lefevere cites &#8216;ungrateful&#8217; Mark Cavendish in analysis of Primo\u017e Rogli\u010d&#8217;s possible transfer to Lotto-Intermarch\u00e9<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">4<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>Volta a Portugal to continue, but without NSN Development Team, following death of Finlay Tarling<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">5<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>The Mike&#8217;s Bikes &#8216;Mega Sale&#8217; is on for a few more days, and we have hand-picked the best deals from the event<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"page-content-onecol flex-1\nnews-article article\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"widget-area-group widget-area-group-2col flex flex-wrap box-border\">\n<div id=\"widgetArea16\" class=\"widget-area basis-full md:basis-2\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-2-3 page-widget-area-16\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"hero\" id=\"hero\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-hero widget-hero widget-hero-hero widget-hero widget-hero-fter-news\">\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nTeams &amp; Riders\n<\/li>\n<li>\nMichael Woods\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>Michael Woods to come out of road retirement for home World Championships in Montr\u00e9al<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"vds-byline-block flex flex-row flex-nowrap my-1.5 gap-2 text-left items-start justify-start\" data-component-name=\"Article:BylineBlock\">\n<p>News<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-auto vds-simple-byline\"><span class=\"inline-block vds-author\"><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nPatrick Fletcher <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex gap-1 vds-byline-with-avatar__meta\"><span class=\"vds-date block font-normal tracking-normal normal-case text-xs\"><br \/>\nPublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-08-15T15:56:23Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n15 August 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">38-year-old Canadian has been racing gravel and is making his Leadville MTB debut but it&#8217;s soon back to three of the biggest road events<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"text-gray-700 flex items-center mx-0 my-5 p-0 justify-start text-left\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-[color:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--text-color,inherit)] mb-2 text-[length:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--font-size,0.75rem)] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-inherit [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"contentparsed\" id=\"content\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-contentparsed widget-content widget-contentparsed-content widget-content-parsed widget-content-parsed-content_document \">\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<section class=\"content-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"box less-space hero-image-wrapper\">\n<figure class=\"mb-0\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AmmDKwfABUctnz4XJLdD2W-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AmmDKwfABUctnz4XJLdD2W-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AmmDKwfABUctnz4XJLdD2W-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AmmDKwfABUctnz4XJLdD2W-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AmmDKwfABUctnz4XJLdD2W-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AmmDKwfABUctnz4XJLdD2W-750-80.jpg.webp 750w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AmmDKwfABUctnz4XJLdD2W-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AmmDKwfABUctnz4XJLdD2W-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AmmDKwfABUctnz4XJLdD2W-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 600px, 100vw\" \/><figcaption class=\"font-article-copy text-(--image--text--color) font-article-copy mt-2\"><span class=\"caption-text font-article-copy\">Michael Woods with the bronze medal for Canada with the Men&#8217;s Elite Road Race at 2018 Road World Championships<\/span><span class=\"credit font-article-copy\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto paywall-locker\">\n<div data-analytics-id=\"utility-bar\" id=\"utility-bar\" class=\"font-ui-heading flex justify-between items-center py-2 border-t border-b border-gray-300 border-solid mb-5 mx-auto\" data-component-name=\"UtilityBar\" 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absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-share-this-article\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nShare this article\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\"><span class=\"ml-1 inline-flex h-5 px-2 shrink-0 items-center justify-center self-center overflow-hidden whitespace-nowrap rounded-[10px] bg-primary-500 text-[11px] leading-none font-ui-heading font-semibold text-white\">0<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-join-the-conversation\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nJoin the conversation\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p>Follow us<\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-add-us-as-a-preferred-source-on-google\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nAdd us as a preferred source on Google\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-05c33116-98be-11f1-905d-2b1317a93815\">Canada have unveiled their squads for the upcoming UCI Road World Championships on home soil, and there&#8217;s plenty of quality but one name that stands out.<\/p>\n<p>Michael Woods, the 28-year-old who retired from road racing at the end of 2025, is on the list of list of six names.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-05c33116-98be-11f1-905d-2b1317a93815-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Woods, a former distance runner who came late to cycling but earned considerable success, including a stage win at the Tour de France and the silver medal at the 2018 Road Worlds, has joined the gravel circuit in 2026 amid his road racing retirement.<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-6 w-full overflow-hidden rounded-[10px] lg:my-8\" data-component-name=\"JwPlayer:Carousel\" data-jwp-carousel data-jwp-carousel-payload=\"{&quot;ids&quot;:{&quot;playerID&quot;:&quot;jYDCcabO&quot;,&quot;searchPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;divID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;fallbackPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;fallbackDivID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;key&quot;:&quot;X9\/mXVGac0NphghLH9hZaqWA5d3dhAM\/Ih07grnEyMLjuO2E&quot;,&quot;tintLogo&quot;:true,&quot;useSearchPlaylist&quot;:false,&quot;enabled&quot;:true},&quot;signPostingEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;signPostingLinkEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;waitForAdLoad&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnDesktop&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnMobile&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnTablet&quot;:false}\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-nowrap items-center justify-between gap-3 bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-header>\n<div class=\"flex min-w-0 shrink items-center\"><span class=\"inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 text-sm font-article-heading capitalize leading-5 text-white whitespace-nowrap\"><span class=\"jwp-carousel-title-desktop\">Latest Videos From<\/span><span class=\"jwp-carousel-brand\">Cyclingnews<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"min-h-[44px] bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting><a class=\"invisible block truncate text-sm font-bold leading-5 text-white underline decoration-solid underline-offset-2\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting-link href target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-jwp-carousel-signposting-title>Watch full video here: <\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">He&#8217;s even branching into mountain biking, lining up in his first flat-bar race at Leadville Trail 100 MTB on Saturday. However, he&#8217;ll soon be back on the road after being selected for one of the very biggest races in the world, the elite men&#8217;s road race at the UCI Road World Championships, taking place in Montr\u00e9al.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Michael Woods, a Tour de France stage winner, three\u2011time Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a stage winner, double La Route d\u2019Occitanie GC champion, and former World Championships podium finisher, joins the team with world class experience and leadership,&#8221; read a statement from Cycling Canada announcing their elite men&#8217;s squad.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/U9oydRCbjcpWkkPxYR9wfa-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/U9oydRCbjcpWkkPxYR9wfa-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;Into the unknown&#8217; \u2013 Michael Woods steps into first Unbound with finishing as primary goal but top 10 would be &#8216;super cool&#8217;<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/k9zmDrDg9CYQpyHK4MVWeJ-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/k9zmDrDg9CYQpyHK4MVWeJ-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">From road to gravel then back to road: Why is Wout van Aert racing the Belgian Gravel Championships for the first time ever this Sunday?<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jFTDUYkRUwn6oKNGgNaioj-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jFTDUYkRUwn6oKNGgNaioj-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">J\u00e9r\u00f4me Gauthier powers through rain and reduced breakaway to victory at the Canadian Road Championships<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Canada will be led by Lidl-Trek&#8217;s Derek Gee-West, with support coming from fellow WorldTour pros Hugo Houle, Michael Leonard, and Pier-Andr\u00e9 C\u00f4t\u00e9, while the squad is rounded out by Nickolas Zukowsky, who rides for the second-tier Pinarello Q36.5 team.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Woods, then, is an outlier. But this unusual arrangement will scratch an itch, allowing him a farewell on home soil after his planned swan song at last year&#8217;s GP de Montr\u00e9al failed to materialise due to a hernia injury.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-KhPqgVwbFDVAHEKysSxU33\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-KhPqgVwbFDVAHEKysSxU33 slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I really wanted to end my career in Montr\u00e9al. I didn\u2019t do that last year do to a hernia. I ended up getting surgery for that and it wasn\u2019t the ending to my career that I wanted,&#8221; Woods told <em>Canadian Cycling Magazine<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Also, I really wanted to do Road Worlds in Montr\u00e9al but couldn\u2019t wrap my head around doing a full WorldTour calendar. I\u2019m just really glad I got the opportunity to do this alternative calendar. It\u2019s kept me in great shape. I feel really fortunate to have been selected. But I also think I did some really good racing over the course of the year to prove that I\u2019m still in good form. I think I\u2019ll still be a valuable asset to the team at Worlds.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Woods did race the national championships road race in June, but this push for Worlds comes as a more sustained spell on the road, which will include the GP de Qu\u00e9bec and GP de Montr\u00e9al WorldTour races in September in the build-up to Worlds.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qHAc3KmE4Ak5KqwVFuKpCF-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qHAc3KmE4Ak5KqwVFuKpCF-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Quinn Simmons returns to Leadville Trail 100 MTB seven years on from his extraordinary teenage debut<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZH9tPKdEpRDyEkVonao4Rf-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZH9tPKdEpRDyEkVonao4Rf-150-80.png.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;At my very best, I certainly have a chance&#8217; \u2013 Wout van Aert confident in World Championships road race bid after rediscovering top form before Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gaRs8uJ2B8bYzPxHnoottM-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gaRs8uJ2B8bYzPxHnoottM-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">UCI Gravel World Series: Adam Roberge and Haley Smith best in sprints for victories at Canada&#8217;s OG Classique<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Canada is fielding a national squad for Qu\u00e9bec and Montr\u00e9al GPs, which will act as a springboard towards Worlds for most of the sport&#8217;s biggest stars, so Woods will be able to test himself against a world-class peloton of his former contemporaries.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I\u2019m really looking forward to riding with the younger guys and hopefully I can provide some leadership to them but selfishly, I need those races to prepare for Worlds. I feel like, if I don\u2019t don\u2019t do those races, it\u2019ll be like merging onto the freeway with a moped,&#8221; Woods added.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I actually think being here at Leadville is going to be really nice preparation. It\u2019ll cap off a nice altitude block for me. I think coming out of Leadville I will be way better aerobically and then I can just focus on putting some more intensity into my training.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I\u2019m hoping that after those two races [Qu\u00e9bec and Montr\u00e9al] and a small training block in the Eastern Townships with my coach I should be ready for Worlds.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-85811fd0-98be-11f1-964f-5dcc68431074\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><strong>For unbeatable coverage across road, gravel and tech, subscribe to Cyclingnews. You&#8217;ll get comprehensive race coverage of La Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a, subscriber-exclusive analysis from our expert columnists, in-depth features and industry-leading tech insight. Plus, the Cyclingnews app lets you follow the action wherever you go! <\/strong><u><strong>Join today.<\/strong><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-KhPqgVwbFDVAHEKysSxU33\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-KhPqgVwbFDVAHEKysSxU33 slice-container-authorBio\">\n<div class=\"author author__default-layout author--separator author--collapsible\" data-hydrate=\"true\">\n<div class=\"author__header\">\n<div class=\"author__avatar-block\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"false\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding\">\n<div><source class=\"author__avatar image-wrapped__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2QoJgeVtEMbCKNujw2pLoH-140-80.jpg.webp 140w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2QoJgeVtEMbCKNujw2pLoH.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2QoJgeVtEMbCKNujw2pLoH.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2QoJgeVtEMbCKNujw2pLoH.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__heading\">\n<div class=\"author__name\">Patrick Fletcher<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__role\">Deputy Editor<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>Patrick is an NCTJ-accredited journalist with a bachelor\u2019s degree in modern languages (French and Spanish) and a decade\u2019s experience in digital sports media, largely within the world of cycling. He re-joined Cyclingnews as Deputy Editor in February 2026, having previously spent eight years on staff between 2015 and 2023. In between, he was Deputy Editor at GCN and spent 18 months working across the sports portfolio at Future before returning to the cycling press pack. Patrick works across Cyclingnews\u2019 wide-ranging output, assisting the Editor in global content strategy, with a particular focus on shaping CN&#8217;s news operation.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"relative max-w-[1070px] viafoura-twig-component mt-6 mx-4 lg:mx-0\" data-component-name=\"Viafoura:Comments\" data-nosnippet data-community-guidelines-text=\"&lt;p class=&apos;vfcustom-community-guidelines&apos;&gt;Please follow our &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/about\/#section-community-guidelines&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;community guidelines&lt;\/a&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;\" data-join-the-conversation-text=\"Join the Conversation\">\n<div class=\"absolute top-0 left-0 w-full h-full flex items-center justify-center z-50 bg-white\/90 border-1 rounded-b-[var(--comment-widget-border-radius,0)]\">\n<div class=\"p-2 text-center\">\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-lg!\">You must confirm your public display name before commenting<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-sm!\">Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"mx-2 my-5 sm:mx-0\">\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-adviser:hybrid\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Read more<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/U9oydRCbjcpWkkPxYR9wfa-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/U9oydRCbjcpWkkPxYR9wfa-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/U9oydRCbjcpWkkPxYR9wfa-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/U9oydRCbjcpWkkPxYR9wfa-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/U9oydRCbjcpWkkPxYR9wfa-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Into the unknown&#8217; \u2013 Michael Woods steps into first Unbound with finishing as primary goal but top 10 would be &#8216;super cool&#8217;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/k9zmDrDg9CYQpyHK4MVWeJ-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/k9zmDrDg9CYQpyHK4MVWeJ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/k9zmDrDg9CYQpyHK4MVWeJ-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/k9zmDrDg9CYQpyHK4MVWeJ-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/k9zmDrDg9CYQpyHK4MVWeJ-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">From road to gravel then back to road: Why is Wout van Aert racing the Belgian Gravel Championships for the first time ever this Sunday?<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jFTDUYkRUwn6oKNGgNaioj-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jFTDUYkRUwn6oKNGgNaioj-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jFTDUYkRUwn6oKNGgNaioj-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jFTDUYkRUwn6oKNGgNaioj-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jFTDUYkRUwn6oKNGgNaioj-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">J\u00e9r\u00f4me Gauthier powers through rain and reduced breakaway to victory at the Canadian Road Championships<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qHAc3KmE4Ak5KqwVFuKpCF-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qHAc3KmE4Ak5KqwVFuKpCF-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qHAc3KmE4Ak5KqwVFuKpCF-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qHAc3KmE4Ak5KqwVFuKpCF-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qHAc3KmE4Ak5KqwVFuKpCF-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Quinn Simmons returns to Leadville Trail 100 MTB seven years on from his extraordinary teenage debut<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZH9tPKdEpRDyEkVonao4Rf-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZH9tPKdEpRDyEkVonao4Rf-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZH9tPKdEpRDyEkVonao4Rf-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZH9tPKdEpRDyEkVonao4Rf-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZH9tPKdEpRDyEkVonao4Rf-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;At my very best, I certainly have a chance&#8217; \u2013 Wout van Aert confident in World Championships road race bid after rediscovering top form before Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gaRs8uJ2B8bYzPxHnoottM-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gaRs8uJ2B8bYzPxHnoottM-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gaRs8uJ2B8bYzPxHnoottM-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gaRs8uJ2B8bYzPxHnoottM-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gaRs8uJ2B8bYzPxHnoottM-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">UCI Gravel World Series: Adam Roberge and Haley Smith best in sprints for victories at Canada&#8217;s OG Classique<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-category\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Teams &amp; Riders<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/duXSrJTJ8uLBWnPzkVkHrb-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/duXSrJTJ8uLBWnPzkVkHrb-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/duXSrJTJ8uLBWnPzkVkHrb-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/duXSrJTJ8uLBWnPzkVkHrb-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/duXSrJTJ8uLBWnPzkVkHrb-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Transfers<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Part of me of still being in cycling is trying to become the best version of myself&#8217; \u2013 Human Powered Health pick up a former world champion<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mG2bgK2AihVsCy7BDp8hV4-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mG2bgK2AihVsCy7BDp8hV4-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mG2bgK2AihVsCy7BDp8hV4-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mG2bgK2AihVsCy7BDp8hV4-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mG2bgK2AihVsCy7BDp8hV4-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Transfers<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Patrick Lefevere cites &#8216;ungrateful&#8217; Mark Cavendish in analysis of Primo\u017e Rogli\u010d&#8217;s possible transfer to Lotto-Intermarch\u00e9<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8LDJPgsXAodgWTgWEYMULC-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8LDJPgsXAodgWTgWEYMULC-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8LDJPgsXAodgWTgWEYMULC-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8LDJPgsXAodgWTgWEYMULC-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8LDJPgsXAodgWTgWEYMULC-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Portuguese president, prime minister express &#8216;deep sorrow&#8217; and condolences as tributes pour in following tragic death of Finlay Tarling<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/r5RKNP3hGXAD2fh4VyjVzE-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/r5RKNP3hGXAD2fh4VyjVzE-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/r5RKNP3hGXAD2fh4VyjVzE-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/r5RKNP3hGXAD2fh4VyjVzE-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/r5RKNP3hGXAD2fh4VyjVzE-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Transfers<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Visma-Lease a Bike confirm Fabio Jakobsen joins team &#8216;with immediate effect&#8217; after Picnic-PostNL departure<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/k9zmDrDg9CYQpyHK4MVWeJ-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/k9zmDrDg9CYQpyHK4MVWeJ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/k9zmDrDg9CYQpyHK4MVWeJ-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/k9zmDrDg9CYQpyHK4MVWeJ-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/k9zmDrDg9CYQpyHK4MVWeJ-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">From road to gravel then back to road: Why is Wout van Aert racing the Belgian Gravel Championships for the first time ever this Sunday?<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9NJnkFrswLMWWQGerbrceb-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9NJnkFrswLMWWQGerbrceb-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9NJnkFrswLMWWQGerbrceb-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9NJnkFrswLMWWQGerbrceb-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9NJnkFrswLMWWQGerbrceb-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I am not sure what will happen in a race&#8217; \u2013 Former biathlon champion Emilien Jacquelin set to make his pro cycling debut<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-articletype\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in News<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/duXSrJTJ8uLBWnPzkVkHrb-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/duXSrJTJ8uLBWnPzkVkHrb-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/duXSrJTJ8uLBWnPzkVkHrb-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/duXSrJTJ8uLBWnPzkVkHrb-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/duXSrJTJ8uLBWnPzkVkHrb-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Transfers<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Part of me of still being in cycling is trying to become the best version of myself&#8217; \u2013 Human Powered Health pick up a former world champion<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mG2bgK2AihVsCy7BDp8hV4-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mG2bgK2AihVsCy7BDp8hV4-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mG2bgK2AihVsCy7BDp8hV4-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mG2bgK2AihVsCy7BDp8hV4-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mG2bgK2AihVsCy7BDp8hV4-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Transfers<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Patrick Lefevere cites &#8216;ungrateful&#8217; Mark Cavendish in analysis of Primo\u017e Rogli\u010d&#8217;s possible transfer to Lotto-Intermarch\u00e9<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PnomoR8BrKyLSbXMS2bnwh-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PnomoR8BrKyLSbXMS2bnwh-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PnomoR8BrKyLSbXMS2bnwh-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PnomoR8BrKyLSbXMS2bnwh-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PnomoR8BrKyLSbXMS2bnwh-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Volta a Portugal to continue, but without NSN Development Team, following death of Finlay Tarling<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8LDJPgsXAodgWTgWEYMULC-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8LDJPgsXAodgWTgWEYMULC-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8LDJPgsXAodgWTgWEYMULC-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8LDJPgsXAodgWTgWEYMULC-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8LDJPgsXAodgWTgWEYMULC-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Portuguese president, prime minister express &#8216;deep sorrow&#8217; and condolences as tributes pour in following tragic death of Finlay Tarling<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cSdCkTSwfGDr3ZwiuHA6iN-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cSdCkTSwfGDr3ZwiuHA6iN-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cSdCkTSwfGDr3ZwiuHA6iN-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cSdCkTSwfGDr3ZwiuHA6iN-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cSdCkTSwfGDr3ZwiuHA6iN-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Volta a Portugal organisers confirm death of Finlay Tarling after &#8216;serious accident&#8217; during stage 8<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/r5RKNP3hGXAD2fh4VyjVzE-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/r5RKNP3hGXAD2fh4VyjVzE-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/r5RKNP3hGXAD2fh4VyjVzE-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/r5RKNP3hGXAD2fh4VyjVzE-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/r5RKNP3hGXAD2fh4VyjVzE-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Transfers<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Visma-Lease a Bike confirm Fabio Jakobsen joins team &#8216;with immediate effect&#8217; after Picnic-PostNL departure<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"widgetArea17\" class=\"widget-area md:basis-1\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-1-3 page-widget-area-17\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"dynamic\" id=\"popular-data\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-dynamic widget-popular-data widget-dynamic-popular-data widget-dynamic-fter-popular-box\">\n<div class=\"wdn-fte-pb pos-relative space-t20\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"slice-container popular-box-slice\">\n<section class=\"popular-box\" data-component-name=\"Slice:PopularBox\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label__tab popular-box__label__tab--active\" role=\"heading\">\nLATEST ARTICLES\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<ol class=\"popular-box__articles-list popular-box__articles-list--active\">\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__image-wrapper\">\n<div>\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3MUtRiFjdhm6mm8o24NUUF-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3MUtRiFjdhm6mm8o24NUUF-720-80.jpg.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3MUtRiFjdhm6mm8o24NUUF-640-80.jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3MUtRiFjdhm6mm8o24NUUF-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"99vw\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">1<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>Czech Tour: In total control AJ August launches early on final climb to win stage 3<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">2<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>&#8216;Part of me of still being in cycling is trying to become the best version of myself&#8217; \u2013 Human Powered Health pick up a former world champion<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">3<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>Patrick Lefevere cites &#8216;ungrateful&#8217; Mark Cavendish in analysis of Primo\u017e Rogli\u010d&#8217;s possible transfer to Lotto-Intermarch\u00e9<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">4<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>Volta a Portugal to continue, but without NSN Development Team, following death of Finlay Tarling<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">5<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>The Mike&#8217;s Bikes &#8216;Mega Sale&#8217; is on for a few more days, and we have hand-picked the best deals from the event<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nTeams &amp; Riders\n<\/li>\n<li>\nMichael Woods\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>Michael Woods to come out of road retirement for home World Championships in Montr\u00e9al<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"vds-byline-block flex flex-row flex-nowrap my-1.5 gap-2 text-left items-start justify-start\" data-component-name=\"Article:BylineBlock\">\n<p>News<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-auto vds-simple-byline\"><span class=\"inline-block vds-author\"><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nPatrick Fletcher <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex gap-1 vds-byline-with-avatar__meta\"><span class=\"vds-date block font-normal tracking-normal normal-case text-xs\"><br \/>\nPublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-08-15T15:56:23Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n15 August 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">38-year-old Canadian has been racing gravel and is making his Leadville MTB debut but it&#8217;s soon back to three of the biggest road events<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"text-gray-700 flex items-center mx-0 my-5 p-0 justify-start text-left\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-[color:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--text-color,inherit)] mb-2 text-[length:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--font-size,0.75rem)] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-inherit [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto paywall-locker\">\n<div data-analytics-id=\"utility-bar\" id=\"utility-bar\" class=\"font-ui-heading flex justify-between items-center py-2 border-t border-b border-gray-300 border-solid mb-5 mx-auto\" data-component-name=\"UtilityBar\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"utility-bar\">\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div data-component-name=\"Social:Dropdown\" role=\"menu\" id=\"utilitybar__dropdown--share\" aria-labelledby=\"utilitybar__button--share\" class=\"absolute left-0 top-full w-44 bg-white rounded-md shadow-md border border-neutral-200 z-[9996] list-none m-0 py-2 px-3 border-solid\">\n<ul class=\"m-0!\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Facebook<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li 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newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-05c33116-98be-11f1-905d-2b1317a93815\">Canada have unveiled their squads for the upcoming UCI Road World Championships on home soil, and there&#8217;s plenty of quality but one name that stands out.<\/p>\n<p>Michael Woods, the 28-year-old who retired from road racing at the end of 2025, is on the list of list of six names.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-05c33116-98be-11f1-905d-2b1317a93815-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Woods, a former distance runner who came late to cycling but earned considerable success, including a stage win at the Tour de France and the silver medal at the 2018 Road Worlds, has joined the gravel circuit in 2026 amid his road racing retirement.<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-6 w-full overflow-hidden rounded-[10px] lg:my-8\" data-component-name=\"JwPlayer:Carousel\" data-jwp-carousel data-jwp-carousel-payload=\"{&quot;ids&quot;:{&quot;playerID&quot;:&quot;jYDCcabO&quot;,&quot;searchPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;divID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;fallbackPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;fallbackDivID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;key&quot;:&quot;X9\/mXVGac0NphghLH9hZaqWA5d3dhAM\/Ih07grnEyMLjuO2E&quot;,&quot;tintLogo&quot;:true,&quot;useSearchPlaylist&quot;:false,&quot;enabled&quot;:true},&quot;signPostingEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;signPostingLinkEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;waitForAdLoad&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnDesktop&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnMobile&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnTablet&quot;:false}\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-nowrap items-center justify-between gap-3 bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-header>\n<div class=\"flex min-w-0 shrink items-center\"><span class=\"inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 text-sm font-article-heading capitalize leading-5 text-white whitespace-nowrap\"><span class=\"jwp-carousel-title-desktop\">Latest Videos From<\/span><span class=\"jwp-carousel-brand\">Cyclingnews<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"min-h-[44px] bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting><a class=\"invisible block truncate text-sm font-bold leading-5 text-white underline decoration-solid underline-offset-2\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting-link href target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-jwp-carousel-signposting-title>Watch full video here: <\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">He&#8217;s even branching into mountain biking, lining up in his first flat-bar race at Leadville Trail 100 MTB on Saturday. However, he&#8217;ll soon be back on the road after being selected for one of the very biggest races in the world, the elite men&#8217;s road race at the UCI Road World Championships, taking place in Montr\u00e9al.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Michael Woods, a Tour de France stage winner, three\u2011time Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a stage winner, double La Route d\u2019Occitanie GC champion, and former World Championships podium finisher, joins the team with world class experience and leadership,&#8221; read a statement from Cycling Canada announcing their elite men&#8217;s squad.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/U9oydRCbjcpWkkPxYR9wfa-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/U9oydRCbjcpWkkPxYR9wfa-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;Into the unknown&#8217; \u2013 Michael Woods steps into first Unbound with finishing as primary goal but top 10 would be &#8216;super cool&#8217;<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/k9zmDrDg9CYQpyHK4MVWeJ-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/k9zmDrDg9CYQpyHK4MVWeJ-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">From road to gravel then back to road: Why is Wout van Aert racing the Belgian Gravel Championships for the first time ever this Sunday?<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jFTDUYkRUwn6oKNGgNaioj-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jFTDUYkRUwn6oKNGgNaioj-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">J\u00e9r\u00f4me Gauthier powers through rain and reduced breakaway to victory at the Canadian Road Championships<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Canada will be led by Lidl-Trek&#8217;s Derek Gee-West, with support coming from fellow WorldTour pros Hugo Houle, Michael Leonard, and Pier-Andr\u00e9 C\u00f4t\u00e9, while the squad is rounded out by Nickolas Zukowsky, who rides for the second-tier Pinarello Q36.5 team.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Woods, then, is an outlier. But this unusual arrangement will scratch an itch, allowing him a farewell on home soil after his planned swan song at last year&#8217;s GP de Montr\u00e9al failed to materialise due to a hernia injury.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-KhPqgVwbFDVAHEKysSxU33\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-KhPqgVwbFDVAHEKysSxU33 slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I really wanted to end my career in Montr\u00e9al. I didn\u2019t do that last year do to a hernia. I ended up getting surgery for that and it wasn\u2019t the ending to my career that I wanted,&#8221; Woods told <em>Canadian Cycling Magazine<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Also, I really wanted to do Road Worlds in Montr\u00e9al but couldn\u2019t wrap my head around doing a full WorldTour calendar. I\u2019m just really glad I got the opportunity to do this alternative calendar. It\u2019s kept me in great shape. I feel really fortunate to have been selected. But I also think I did some really good racing over the course of the year to prove that I\u2019m still in good form. I think I\u2019ll still be a valuable asset to the team at Worlds.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Woods did race the national championships road race in June, but this push for Worlds comes as a more sustained spell on the road, which will include the GP de Qu\u00e9bec and GP de Montr\u00e9al WorldTour races in September in the build-up to Worlds.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qHAc3KmE4Ak5KqwVFuKpCF-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qHAc3KmE4Ak5KqwVFuKpCF-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Quinn Simmons returns to Leadville Trail 100 MTB seven years on from his extraordinary teenage debut<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZH9tPKdEpRDyEkVonao4Rf-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZH9tPKdEpRDyEkVonao4Rf-150-80.png.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;At my very best, I certainly have a chance&#8217; \u2013 Wout van Aert confident in World Championships road race bid after rediscovering top form before Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gaRs8uJ2B8bYzPxHnoottM-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gaRs8uJ2B8bYzPxHnoottM-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">UCI Gravel World Series: Adam Roberge and Haley Smith best in sprints for victories at Canada&#8217;s OG Classique<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Canada is fielding a national squad for Qu\u00e9bec and Montr\u00e9al GPs, which will act as a springboard towards Worlds for most of the sport&#8217;s biggest stars, so Woods will be able to test himself against a world-class peloton of his former contemporaries.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I\u2019m really looking forward to riding with the younger guys and hopefully I can provide some leadership to them but selfishly, I need those races to prepare for Worlds. I feel like, if I don\u2019t don\u2019t do those races, it\u2019ll be like merging onto the freeway with a moped,&#8221; Woods added.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I actually think being here at Leadville is going to be really nice preparation. It\u2019ll cap off a nice altitude block for me. I think coming out of Leadville I will be way better aerobically and then I can just focus on putting some more intensity into my training.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I\u2019m hoping that after those two races [Qu\u00e9bec and Montr\u00e9al] and a small training block in the Eastern Townships with my coach I should be ready for Worlds.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-85811fd0-98be-11f1-964f-5dcc68431074\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><strong>For unbeatable coverage across road, gravel and tech, subscribe to Cyclingnews. You&#8217;ll get comprehensive race coverage of La Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a, subscriber-exclusive analysis from our expert columnists, in-depth features and industry-leading tech insight. Plus, the Cyclingnews app lets you follow the action wherever you go! <\/strong><u><strong>Join today.<\/strong><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/teams-riders\/michael-woods-to-come-out-of-road-retirement-for-home-world-championships-in-montreal\/&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AmmDKwfABUctnz4XJLdD2W-2000-80.jpg&#8221;] 1 Quinn Simmons returns to Leadville Trail 100 MTB seven years on from his extraordinary teenage debut 2 Leadville Trail 100 MTB contenders 2026 &#8211; Can anyone unseat Keegan Swenson and who can take the top spot vacated by Kate Courtney? 3 From road to gravel then back to road: Why is [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[226,68],"class_list":["post-2095312","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crawlmanager","tag-cyclingnews-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2095312","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2095312"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2095312\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2095312"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2095312"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2095312"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}