{"id":2162123,"date":"2026-09-24T12:12:27","date_gmt":"2026-09-24T09:12:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2162123"},"modified":"2026-09-24T12:12:27","modified_gmt":"2026-09-24T09:12:27","slug":"vallieres-mills-title-defence-kopeckys-comeback-and-is-demi-vollering-actually-unstoppable-analysing-the-world-championships-elite-womens-road-race-contenders","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2162123","title":{"rendered":"Vallieres Mill&#8217;s title defence, Kopecky&#8217;s comeback and is Demi Vollering actually unstoppable? &#8211; Analysing the World Championships elite women&#8217;s road race contenders"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ucnW4C33CudyUarHcb5GJ-2560-80.jpghttps:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZyTc3ySw3A4NYmKAtKQuU-2560-80.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\/hRfxbHFerxgo3Qb9eqk7Ec-160-80.jpg.webp 160w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hRfxbHFerxgo3Qb9eqk7Ec-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                                    Start times for Road World Championships elite men&#8217;s and women&#8217;s time trial\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\/5rmRPSqUpP5FLaVUx8wbfV-160-80.jpg.webp 160w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5rmRPSqUpP5FLaVUx8wbfV-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                                    As it happened: Birthday joy for reigning champion in World Road Championships women&#8217;s elite individual time trial 2026\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\/M3LuzaaPNi3DAKSdmuHNaW-160-80.jpg.webp 160w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/M3LuzaaPNi3DAKSdmuHNaW-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                                    Road World Championships: Marlen Reusser storms to victory in elite women&#8217;s time trial, catching Demi Vollering en route to second straight title\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>\nRacing\n<\/li>\n<li>\nWomen&#8217;s Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRoad\n<\/li>\n<li>\nUCI Road World Championships\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>Vallieres Mill&#8217;s title defence, Kopecky&#8217;s comeback and is Demi Vollering actually unstoppable? &#8211; Analysing the World Championships elite women&#8217;s road race contenders<\/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<div class=\"my-auto vds-simple-byline\"><span class=\"inline-block vds-author\"><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nDani Ostanek <\/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=\"2026-09-24T12:12:27Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n24 September 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">Paula Blasi, Kim Le Court-Pienaar, Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney and Marlen Reusser all in quest for rainbow success in Canada<\/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\/ZyTc3ySw3A4NYmKAtKQuU-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZyTc3ySw3A4NYmKAtKQuU-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZyTc3ySw3A4NYmKAtKQuU-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZyTc3ySw3A4NYmKAtKQuU-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZyTc3ySw3A4NYmKAtKQuU-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZyTc3ySw3A4NYmKAtKQuU-750-80.jpg.webp 750w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZyTc3ySw3A4NYmKAtKQuU-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZyTc3ySw3A4NYmKAtKQuU-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZyTc3ySw3A4NYmKAtKQuU-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\">Lotte Kopecky, Demi Vollering, and Kasia Niewadoma-Phinney are among the top contenders for the elite women&#8217;s road race in Montreal<\/span><span class=\"credit font-article-copy\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo\" class=\"contents\" data-only-inline=\"1\">\n<div class=\"visible flex flex-row flex-nowrap sticky max-lg:-ml-5 top-[var(--site-header-height,60px)] sm:top-0 z-[9994] w-screen lg:w-full h-[50px] bg-white p-0 mb-5 border-neutral-200 border border-solid\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Variants:Inline\" data-analytics-id=\"sticky-nav\" id=\"sticky-nav--inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"sticky-nav\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-row w-full h-full overflow-x-scroll overflow-y-hidden tracking-normal overscroll-x-contain\" id=\"sticky-nav__scroll-container\"><span class=\"pl-4 my-auto text-base font-semibold font-article-heading lg:pl-3 lg:text-sm whitespace-nowrap uppercase\">Jump To:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-row w-auto border-y-0\">\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\nborder-b-[3px] border-b-(--jumpto-underline-color) border-solid font-semibold \" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Demi Vollering<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Marlen Reusser<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Kim Le Court-Pienaar<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Lotte Kopecky<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Paula Blasi<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Elisa Longo Borghini<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>C\u00e9lia Gery<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Others to watch<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\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-8f1a4b98-b664-11f1-bb0a-2bc5ad03d6b1\">The final weekend of the Road World Championships is coming up, and the elite road races are headlining the event as the cream of the crop of the women&#8217;s and men&#8217;s pelotons head to Montreal.<\/p>\n<p>The elite women&#8217;s road race is held on Saturday, September 26, and a peloton of 148 riders will be tackling the hilly 180.1km route featuring the closing Mount Royal circuit and eight ascents of the Camillien-Houde climb (2.3km at 6.2%).<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-8f1a4b98-b664-11f1-bb0a-2bc5ad03d6b1-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Home racer Magdeleine Vallieres Mill will be defending the title she won last year in Kigali, Rwanda, but there are a host of other big names lining up at the start in Brossard, hoping to take home the rainbow jersey.<\/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\">Here are our contenders for the elite women&#8217;s road race at the 2026 UCI Road World Championships.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-demi-vollering-netherlands\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Demi Vollering (Netherlands)<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-a4e167b0-b7e8-11f1-a4d9-57129dc9f928\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6AFYYQKKsSieR5QUAqkH3j-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6AFYYQKKsSieR5QUAqkH3j-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6AFYYQKKsSieR5QUAqkH3j-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6AFYYQKKsSieR5QUAqkH3j-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6AFYYQKKsSieR5QUAqkH3j-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6AFYYQKKsSieR5QUAqkH3j-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Demi Vollering raced to silver at the 2023 Worlds in Glasgow <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-bb4ad25a-b664-11f1-81b1-4d460f585902\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Dutch racer Demi Vollering lines up as the top favourite for glory this weekend, having swept almost all before her this season.<\/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\/EiwFQdPrTt9yPqqhnYs8M-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EiwFQdPrTt9yPqqhnYs8M-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\">Marlen Reusser or Demi Vollering? Can anyone challenge the two favourites in the World Championships elite women&#8217;s time trial?<\/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\/gSC9dCAkKbvyhen4EC8H3L-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gSC9dCAkKbvyhen4EC8H3L-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\">Home favourite Bella Holmgren, Bunel leads French defence, Australia&#8217;s stacked squad \u2013 World Championships women&#8217;s under-23 road race contenders<\/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\/4w3qLesyYvCrGoyJcKfVvi-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4w3qLesyYvCrGoyJcKfVvi-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\">The best riders who have never won at the Road World Championships \u2013 and who could change that in 2026<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Vollering dominated the spring with wins at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, the Tour of Flanders, Li\u00e8ge-Bastogne-Li\u00e8ge, and La Fl\u00e8che Wallonne before doing the double in Grand Tour season with wins at the Giro d&#8217;Italia and Tour de France.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Her most recent outing was an eighth-place finish in the Worlds time trial this week, finishing 1:49 down on Marlen Reusser, but she&#8217;s better suited to the hilly road race. Her Worlds road race history consists of a second place in Glasgow, fifth in Zurich, and seventh places in Leuven and Kigali.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-3qoVv2rWW6KjuKA7WALMUT\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-3qoVv2rWW6KjuKA7WALMUT 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\">Vollering will line up with the strongest support squad in the race, with Karlijn Swinkels, Riejanne Markus (fifth last year, Lieke Nooijen, Puck Pieterse, Amber Kraak, and Femke De Vries all on hand to support her rainbow jersey bid.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-marlen-reusser-switzerland\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Marlen Reusser (Switzerland)<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-a4e16832-b7e8-11f1-b22d-95f33b823c05\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ueKd8dD7Pxt6qjnbktxeQ3-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ueKd8dD7Pxt6qjnbktxeQ3-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ueKd8dD7Pxt6qjnbktxeQ3-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ueKd8dD7Pxt6qjnbktxeQ3-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ueKd8dD7Pxt6qjnbktxeQ3-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ueKd8dD7Pxt6qjnbktxeQ3-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Marlen Reusser recently won the time trial world title <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-bb4ad2c8-b664-11f1-9e93-c592cb8e0d0c\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Swiss team leader Marlen Reusser is riding high after her Worlds time trial triumph this week, where she dominated the 39.2km ride to win by 40 seconds over Zoe B\u00e4ckstedt.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">This season, she&#8217;s won the Dwars door Vlaanderen and Tour de Suisse, also wearing the Tour de France yellow jersey before falling out of contention during the final weekend.<\/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\/dkNBfv8UpN2da7mxUPFFNn-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dkNBfv8UpN2da7mxUPFFNn-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;A once-in-a-career kind of thing&#8217; \u2013 A year on from a stunning victory, Canada&#8217;s top women riders look ahead to &#8216;special&#8217; home Road World Championships<\/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\/pkDVJi9MsWHf96JEXtc3sm-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pkDVJi9MsWHf96JEXtc3sm-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\">Small nations, rising stars, and the home advantage \u2013 Eight side quests and subplots to follow at the Montreal World Championships<\/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\/x2erRPrkRHSd8wS8rNtXkN-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/x2erRPrkRHSd8wS8rNtXkN-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\">Tour de France Femmes contenders \u2013 Demi Vollering and Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot poised for fantastic duel with Ventoux finale<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Reusser has been a perennial contender in the Worlds road race, with fourth place in Glasgow her best result to date. Last year, she raced to ninth place in Kigali, and she&#8217;ll be aiming for the medals here.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">There&#8217;ll be no Elise Chabbey (fourth last year) in the Swiss squad, but Tour Down Under champion Noemi R\u00fcegg will be on hand as Reusser&#8217;s primary lieutenant.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-kim-le-court-pienaar-mauritius\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Kim Le Court-Pienaar (Mauritius)<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-a4e168aa-b7e8-11f1-82b8-e3e2f1e00b6a\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JagaEtN4KzJQZaC8yq58yF-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JagaEtN4KzJQZaC8yq58yF-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JagaEtN4KzJQZaC8yq58yF-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JagaEtN4KzJQZaC8yq58yF-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JagaEtN4KzJQZaC8yq58yF-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JagaEtN4KzJQZaC8yq58yF-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Kim Le Court-Pienaar representing Mauritius at the 2025 Worlds in Kigali <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-bb4ad336-b664-11f1-89a8-53c3994a078b\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Nestled among this list of leaders of major cycling nations is Kim Le Court-Pienaar, who leads Mauritius&#8217; two-woman squad in Montreal.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Despite that disadvantage (World Cycling Centre rider Lucie de Marigny-Lagesse is her only teammate), Le Court-Pienaar still lines up among the top favourites for the rainbow jersey.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">She&#8217;s one of the peloton&#8217;s top puncheurs, having risen to that status in the past two seasons with wins at Li\u00e8ge-Bastogne-Li\u00e8ge, two stages of the Tour de France, and a recent triumph at the Tour of Britain.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The hilly route is very well-suited to her abilities, and she finished in eighth place last year, showing she&#8217;s more than capable of racing to a high placing at the race&#8217;s end.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-lotte-kopecky-belgium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Lotte Kopecky (Belgium)<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-a4e16922-b7e8-11f1-854a-337bfbb5fece\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dRiTFWv7VbU3AGVQfk4EuR-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dRiTFWv7VbU3AGVQfk4EuR-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dRiTFWv7VbU3AGVQfk4EuR-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dRiTFWv7VbU3AGVQfk4EuR-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dRiTFWv7VbU3AGVQfk4EuR-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dRiTFWv7VbU3AGVQfk4EuR-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Lotte Kopecky is a double World Champion, having won here in Glasgow and the next year in Zurich <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-bb4ad39a-b664-11f1-889e-7588dc9f5ef6\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Along with reigning champion Vallieres Mill, Belgian leader Lotte Kopecky is the only previous World Champion lining up at the start this Saturday. The 30-year-old won the rainbow jersey in Glasgow and Zurich but didn&#8217;t take part last year.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">She skipped Worlds in 2025 after being plagued by a back problem throughout the year, and she hasn&#8217;t quite hit the same all-conquering level since.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">This spring she took a big win at Milan-San Remo as well as taking victory at Nokere Koerse and a stage of La Vuelta Femenina. She&#8217;s had less to shout about in the summer, however, barring a second-place finish from the break on the hilly stage 3 at the Tour de France.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">You can never count out a past champion like Kopecky, though, so she&#8217;ll be one to watch this weekend. A support squad of Shari Bossuyt, Lotte Claes, Julie Van de Velde, Margot Vanpachtebeke, and Sandrine Tas will race in support of her bid to do the triple.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-paula-blasi-spain\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Paula Blasi (Spain)<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-520c11e2-b7e9-11f1-b593-fbc960be2738\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6kvJb4WqEqpLoaRxpdmf6i-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6kvJb4WqEqpLoaRxpdmf6i-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6kvJb4WqEqpLoaRxpdmf6i-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6kvJb4WqEqpLoaRxpdmf6i-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6kvJb4WqEqpLoaRxpdmf6i-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6kvJb4WqEqpLoaRxpdmf6i-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">La Vuelta Femenina champion Paula Blasi is racing the elite Worlds for the second time <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-bb4ad3fe-b664-11f1-9e2f-25279a5e0b20\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Paula Blasi is racing just her second elite road race after making her debut in Zurich two years ago.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">She has enjoyed a rapid rise since then. Last year she won the Tour de Romandie, became under-23 European champion, and took bronze in the under-23 road race in Kigali. This season, she&#8217;s taken wins at Amstel Gold Race and La Vuelta Femenina, as well as the Tour F\u00e9minin des Pyr\u00e9n\u00e9es and the Volta a Catalunya and a fifth overall at the Tour de France.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Blasi has been one of the breakout riders of the year and lines up among the favourites and the leader of a strong Spanish squad in Montreal. Supporting her rainbow jersey bid are Mavi Garc\u00eda (third last year), Mireia Benito, Usoa Ostolaza, Sandra Alonso, and Sara Mart\u00edn.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-elisa-longo-borghini-italy\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Elisa Longo Borghini (Italy)<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-520c126e-b7e9-11f1-84b7-4fe7cc053aa6\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jtLqniUPJL5qQJjcs2Tez6-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jtLqniUPJL5qQJjcs2Tez6-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jtLqniUPJL5qQJjcs2Tez6-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jtLqniUPJL5qQJjcs2Tez6-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jtLqniUPJL5qQJjcs2Tez6-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jtLqniUPJL5qQJjcs2Tez6-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Elisa Longo Borghini has won three bronzes, including this one in Zurich <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-bb4ad462-b664-11f1-94a4-dbcc23bede5f\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Italy leader Elisa Longo Borghini is once again on the hunt for the rainbow jersey, having previously picked up three bronze medals (Valkenburg 2012, Imola 2020, Zurich 2024) and two other top-five finishes (Richmond 2015, Harrogate 2019).<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">She&#8217;s a perennial contender at the Worlds and similar hilly races, and she&#8217;s had a good year, with wins at the UAE Tour and the Italian Championships as well as a stage and fourth overall at the Giro d&#8217;Italia and a long-awaited podium at the Tour de France.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Morale will be high, too, after Italy sped to the rainbow jersey at the TTT mixed relay midweek, while Longo Borghini is clearly in good form after racing to fourth in the individual time trial.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Francesca Barale, Sara Casasola, Eleonora Gasparrini, Erica Magnaldi, Silvia Persico, and Monica Trinca Colonel form a strong backup squad for their leader.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-kasia-niewiadoma-phinney-poland\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney (Poland)<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-8e8b1cd4-b7ea-11f1-9f2b-bf6b3e4c70e4\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EqYVxgHDrtXHEL9AEYWNjN-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EqYVxgHDrtXHEL9AEYWNjN-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EqYVxgHDrtXHEL9AEYWNjN-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EqYVxgHDrtXHEL9AEYWNjN-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EqYVxgHDrtXHEL9AEYWNjN-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EqYVxgHDrtXHEL9AEYWNjN-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Kasia Niewadoma-Phinney raced to bronze at the Leuven Worlds <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-bb4ad4c6-b664-11f1-b99b-59aef1c32fca\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Poland&#8217;s Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney is another rider who regularly heads to Worlds as a top contender, though she hasn&#8217;t had the best of luck in her last three appearances, with 10th place in Kigali her best result.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">She has a fifth place (at Bergen 2017) and a bronze (at Leuven 2021) on her palmar\u00e8s, and she&#8217;s always been strong on this kind of hilly circuit, with wins at the Ardennes Classics and Trofeo Binda to her name.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">This season, there have been plenty of second places at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, Strade Bianche, Amstel Gold Race, and the Tour de France, while her big win of the year came in France atop Mont Ventoux.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Once again, Niewiadoma-Phinney will face off against her major rival Demi Vollering, though she hasn&#8217;t raced since the Tour, so we have no way to gauge her current form. She&#8217;ll no doubt be ready to contend, though, and she&#8217;ll have Dominika W\u0142odarczyk, Marta Lach, Marta Jaskulska, and Kaja Rysz backing her up.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-celia-gery-france\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>C\u00e9lia Gery (France)<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-8e8b1d60-b7ea-11f1-b717-13c5ef39a9cb\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/39VAx8KHCmdn3fHf4n58zk-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/39VAx8KHCmdn3fHf4n58zk-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/39VAx8KHCmdn3fHf4n58zk-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/39VAx8KHCmdn3fHf4n58zk-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/39VAx8KHCmdn3fHf4n58zk-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/39VAx8KHCmdn3fHf4n58zk-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">C\u00e9lia Gery is the reigning under-23 women&#8217;s world champion <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-2bab42c4-b7e0-11f1-ab97-e78bfcf50569\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Reigning under-23 world champion C\u00e9lia Gery is stepping up to the elite level this year and could immediately be a contender after a very strong second season among the pros.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Last year, Gery won three stages of the Tour de l&#8217;Avenir before triumphing in Kigali. This season, she&#8217;s won Brabantse Pijl, the GP de Chamb\u00e9ry, a stage of the Giro d&#8217;Italia, and the French national title. That&#8217;s in addition to providing vital assistance in Demi Vollering&#8217;s Giro and Tour victories.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The lead-in to Worlds has seen her on the podium twice at the Ponte de Raz and GP de Wallonie, so she&#8217;s clearly in good form.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Alongside Gery, France can look to C\u00e9drine Kerbaol and Juliette Berthet as potential outsiders, while Marie Le Net, L\u00e9a Curinier, Ma\u00ebva Squiban, and Evita Muzic round out a very strong lineup.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-others-to-watch\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Others to watch<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-8e8b1de2-b7ea-11f1-87be-dbf7427020f9\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mNYAsxPQCLNwnuuTE8vfmC-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mNYAsxPQCLNwnuuTE8vfmC-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mNYAsxPQCLNwnuuTE8vfmC-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mNYAsxPQCLNwnuuTE8vfmC-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mNYAsxPQCLNwnuuTE8vfmC-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mNYAsxPQCLNwnuuTE8vfmC-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">German racer Antonia Niedermaier is among a host of other riders to watch <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-bd1c6a5a-b7de-11f1-a77e-916a32f8eedc\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><strong>Magdeleine Vallieres Mill<\/strong> won the rainbow jersey for Canada last year. Her win was an outsider&#8217;s triumph, coming against the odds with a late breakaway. It would be a surprise to see her win again, though nothing can be ruled out. Her 24-year-old teammate <strong>Sarah Van Dam<\/strong>, racing her first elite Worlds, has enjoyed a strong season and is in form, so might be a better shout.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">New Zealand will be led by <strong>Niamh Fisher-Black<\/strong>, who raced to a silver medal in Kigali. She&#8217;s in good form, too, after racing to second place at the Faun Tour Femmes in the lead-up to Montreal.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Germany have several options to count on in the form of Paris-Roubaix champion Franziska Koch, 2024 fourth-place finisher Liane Lippert, and young star <strong>Antonia Niedermaier<\/strong>, who finished sixth in Kigali. 23-year-old Niedermaier, who finished seventh in the recent time trial, is probably their best bet.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">After over a year away from racing, <strong>Sarah Gigante<\/strong> was back in the peloton at the recent Faun Tour Femmes. She&#8217;ll lead Australia here, but while she has the class to contend on a hilly course, it would be surprising to see her at her best here after such a long layoff.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><strong>Kate Courtney<\/strong> takes on her first Road World Championships, having already won rainbow jerseys on the mountain bike. She doesn&#8217;t have too much experience on the road bike, but her National Championships win and a positive outing at the Tour of Britain show she could be one to watch.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Great Britain don&#8217;t have an outright favourite, but <strong>Lauren Dickson<\/strong> could be in with a shout after a strong neo-pro season which has seen her take 11th at the Giro, plus third places at Itzulia Women and the Faun Tour Femmes. Zoe B\u00e4ckstedt also lines up following her time trial bronze, though the course is likely too hilly for the 22-year-old.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Other outsiders to watch include <strong>Caroline Andersson<\/strong> (Sweden), who finished 11th last year, <strong>Christina Schweinberger<\/strong> (Austria), who was fifth in Glasgow, and Tour de France breakaway hero <strong>Sigrid Haugset<\/strong> (Norway).<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-b1b381e2-b664-11f1-a424-8d887347acd6\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><em><strong>Subscribe to Cyclingnews for comprehensive race coverage of both the UCI Road and Gravel World Championships, alongside the final monument of the season, Il Lombardia. Subscribers get unlimited access to 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><\/em><u><em><strong>Join today.<\/strong><\/em><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-3qoVv2rWW6KjuKA7WALMUT\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-3qoVv2rWW6KjuKA7WALMUT slice-container-authorBio\">\n<div class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio slice-container-authorBio\" id=\"slice-container-authorBio\" data-component-name=\"Slice:AuthorBio\">\n<div class=\"author author__default-layout author--separator author--collapsible\" data-author-bio-max-height=\"250\" data-author-bio-read-more=\"Read more\" data-author-bio-read-less=\"Read less\">\n<div class=\"author__header\">\n<div class=\"author__avatar-block\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding\">\n<div>\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sZZXd8K4JqxjkRK7teBMFc-140-80.jpg.webp 140w\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__heading\">\n<div class=\"author__name\">\n<p>Dani Ostanek<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__social\">\n<nav class=\"button-social-group author__social-buttons\" aria-labelledby=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">\n<div id=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">\nSocial Links Navigation\n<\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__role\">Senior News Writer<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>Dani Ostanek is Senior News Writer at <em>Cyclingnews<\/em>, having joined in 2017 as a freelance contributor before being hired full-time. Her favourite races include the Paris-Roubaix, Tour de France Femmes, Tro-Bro L\u00e9on, and cycling&#8217;s fourth Grand Tour, the Volta a Portugal.<\/p>\n<\/div>\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\/EiwFQdPrTt9yPqqhnYs8M-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EiwFQdPrTt9yPqqhnYs8M-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EiwFQdPrTt9yPqqhnYs8M-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EiwFQdPrTt9yPqqhnYs8M-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EiwFQdPrTt9yPqqhnYs8M-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\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Marlen Reusser or Demi Vollering? Can anyone challenge the two favourites in the World Championships elite women&#8217;s time trial?<\/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\/gSC9dCAkKbvyhen4EC8H3L-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gSC9dCAkKbvyhen4EC8H3L-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gSC9dCAkKbvyhen4EC8H3L-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gSC9dCAkKbvyhen4EC8H3L-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gSC9dCAkKbvyhen4EC8H3L-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\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Home favourite Bella Holmgren, Bunel leads French defence, Australia&#8217;s stacked squad \u2013 World Championships women&#8217;s under-23 road race contenders<\/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\/4w3qLesyYvCrGoyJcKfVvi-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4w3qLesyYvCrGoyJcKfVvi-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4w3qLesyYvCrGoyJcKfVvi-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4w3qLesyYvCrGoyJcKfVvi-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4w3qLesyYvCrGoyJcKfVvi-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\">The best riders who have never won at the Road World Championships \u2013 and who could change that in 2026<\/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\/dkNBfv8UpN2da7mxUPFFNn-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dkNBfv8UpN2da7mxUPFFNn-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dkNBfv8UpN2da7mxUPFFNn-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dkNBfv8UpN2da7mxUPFFNn-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dkNBfv8UpN2da7mxUPFFNn-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\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;A once-in-a-career kind of thing&#8217; \u2013 A year on from a stunning victory, Canada&#8217;s top women riders look ahead to &#8216;special&#8217; home Road World 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\/pkDVJi9MsWHf96JEXtc3sm-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pkDVJi9MsWHf96JEXtc3sm-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pkDVJi9MsWHf96JEXtc3sm-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pkDVJi9MsWHf96JEXtc3sm-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pkDVJi9MsWHf96JEXtc3sm-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\">Small nations, rising stars, and the home advantage \u2013 Eight side quests and subplots to follow at the Montreal World 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\/x2erRPrkRHSd8wS8rNtXkN-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/x2erRPrkRHSd8wS8rNtXkN-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/x2erRPrkRHSd8wS8rNtXkN-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/x2erRPrkRHSd8wS8rNtXkN-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/x2erRPrkRHSd8wS8rNtXkN-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\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tour de France Femmes contenders \u2013 Demi Vollering and Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot poised for fantastic duel with Ventoux finale<\/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 Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/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\/nMjRVV6D9oZc92oPqTwTKg-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nMjRVV6D9oZc92oPqTwTKg-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nMjRVV6D9oZc92oPqTwTKg-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nMjRVV6D9oZc92oPqTwTKg-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nMjRVV6D9oZc92oPqTwTKg-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\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Mara Winter surprises with fourth place in women&#8217;s U23 World Championships road race<\/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\/b3AeKtJW5YrdYm2FaJUAcE-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/b3AeKtJW5YrdYm2FaJUAcE-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/b3AeKtJW5YrdYm2FaJUAcE-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/b3AeKtJW5YrdYm2FaJUAcE-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/b3AeKtJW5YrdYm2FaJUAcE-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\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;It was my dream after last year&#8217;s second place&#8217; &#8211; Redemption for U23 world champion Chlado\u0148ov\u00e1 after near miss in 2025<\/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\/UR7X2tWYWBbYXPC4VqeVNN-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UR7X2tWYWBbYXPC4VqeVNN-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UR7X2tWYWBbYXPC4VqeVNN-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UR7X2tWYWBbYXPC4VqeVNN-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UR7X2tWYWBbYXPC4VqeVNN-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\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;If I had the legs, then I would have been alone&#8217; &#8211; Canadian star Isabella Holmgren&#8217;s blueprint for gold turns to silver in women&#8217;s U23 road race at Road Worlds<\/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\/f6VyAvxm9WRkSG4vs8hsgT-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/f6VyAvxm9WRkSG4vs8hsgT-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/f6VyAvxm9WRkSG4vs8hsgT-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/f6VyAvxm9WRkSG4vs8hsgT-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/f6VyAvxm9WRkSG4vs8hsgT-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\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">UCI Road World Championships: Vikt\u00f3ria Chlado\u0148ov\u00e1 beats Isabella Holmgren to win under-23 women&#8217;s title<\/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\/vTasbyEmQE6MUH8Th6DC7S-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vTasbyEmQE6MUH8Th6DC7S-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vTasbyEmQE6MUH8Th6DC7S-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vTasbyEmQE6MUH8Th6DC7S-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vTasbyEmQE6MUH8Th6DC7S-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\">Safety<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Female cyclists 50% more likely to be injured in crashes and suffer 2.5 times more fractures, new UCI study finds<\/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\/zgL79xBbCiXoqkg9hVbCs3-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zgL79xBbCiXoqkg9hVbCs3-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zgL79xBbCiXoqkg9hVbCs3-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zgL79xBbCiXoqkg9hVbCs3-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zgL79xBbCiXoqkg9hVbCs3-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Five teams pull out of Tour of Chongming Island as UCI removes mandatory participation following Tour of Guangxi cancellation<\/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 Previews<\/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\/6jDGsfsB9yt2gJadTf8auJ-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6jDGsfsB9yt2gJadTf8auJ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6jDGsfsB9yt2gJadTf8auJ-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6jDGsfsB9yt2gJadTf8auJ-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6jDGsfsB9yt2gJadTf8auJ-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\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Can anyone kick the Europeans off the top spot? \u2013 World Championships junior women\u2019s road race contenders<\/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\/tjxzf8EsCzYu2pgXrkBTKX-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tjxzf8EsCzYu2pgXrkBTKX-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tjxzf8EsCzYu2pgXrkBTKX-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tjxzf8EsCzYu2pgXrkBTKX-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tjxzf8EsCzYu2pgXrkBTKX-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\">France&#8217;s next prodigy and Brazil&#8217;s best chance at a rainbow jersey \u2013 World Championships under-23 men&#8217;s road race contenders<\/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\/gSC9dCAkKbvyhen4EC8H3L-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gSC9dCAkKbvyhen4EC8H3L-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gSC9dCAkKbvyhen4EC8H3L-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gSC9dCAkKbvyhen4EC8H3L-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gSC9dCAkKbvyhen4EC8H3L-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\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Home favourite Bella Holmgren, Bunel leads French defence, Australia&#8217;s stacked squad \u2013 World Championships women&#8217;s under-23 road race contenders<\/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\/sGfkV84vASJ3ab4GAUbz9a-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sGfkV84vASJ3ab4GAUbz9a-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sGfkV84vASJ3ab4GAUbz9a-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sGfkV84vASJ3ab4GAUbz9a-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sGfkV84vASJ3ab4GAUbz9a-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\">A wide open field of young stars going for glory \u2013 World Championships junior men&#8217;s road race contenders<\/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\/KTqA4mLjMT7Tp6FFpoj9qM-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KTqA4mLjMT7Tp6FFpoj9qM-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KTqA4mLjMT7Tp6FFpoj9qM-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KTqA4mLjMT7Tp6FFpoj9qM-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KTqA4mLjMT7Tp6FFpoj9qM-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\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">The next generation of specialists is expected to shine despite short course &#8211; World Championships junior women&#8217;s time trial contenders<\/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\/WwLm9GVQRZnZ5ATHRiA8te-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WwLm9GVQRZnZ5ATHRiA8te-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WwLm9GVQRZnZ5ATHRiA8te-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WwLm9GVQRZnZ5ATHRiA8te-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WwLm9GVQRZnZ5ATHRiA8te-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\">H\u00e9ctor \u00c1lvarez leads long list of future stars battling for rainbow stripes \u2013 Contenders for the U23 men&#8217;s time trial at Road World 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>\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\/nMjRVV6D9oZc92oPqTwTKg-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nMjRVV6D9oZc92oPqTwTKg-720-80.jpg.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nMjRVV6D9oZc92oPqTwTKg-640-80.jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nMjRVV6D9oZc92oPqTwTKg-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>Mara Winter surprises with fourth place in women&#8217;s U23 World Championships road race<\/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>UCI Road World Championships: Benjam\u00edn Noval makes up for 2025 heartbreak with dominant gold in junior men&#8217;s road race<\/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>&#8216;It was my dream after last year&#8217;s second place&#8217; &#8211; Redemption for U23 world champion Chlado\u0148ov\u00e1 after near miss in 2025<\/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>&#8216;If I had the legs, then I would have been alone&#8217; &#8211; Canadian star Isabella Holmgren&#8217;s blueprint for gold turns to silver in women&#8217;s U23 road race at Road Worlds<\/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>Il Lombardia 2026 route to include double ascent of crunch San Fermo della Battaglia climb<\/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>\nRacing\n<\/li>\n<li>\nWomen&#8217;s Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRoad\n<\/li>\n<li>\nUCI Road World Championships\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>Vallieres Mill&#8217;s title defence, Kopecky&#8217;s comeback and is Demi Vollering actually unstoppable? &#8211; Analysing the World Championships elite women&#8217;s road race contenders<\/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<div class=\"my-auto vds-simple-byline\"><span class=\"inline-block vds-author\"><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nDani Ostanek <\/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=\"2026-09-24T12:12:27Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n24 September 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">Paula Blasi, Kim Le Court-Pienaar, Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney and Marlen Reusser all in quest for rainbow success in Canada<\/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\/ZyTc3ySw3A4NYmKAtKQuU-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZyTc3ySw3A4NYmKAtKQuU-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZyTc3ySw3A4NYmKAtKQuU-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZyTc3ySw3A4NYmKAtKQuU-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZyTc3ySw3A4NYmKAtKQuU-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZyTc3ySw3A4NYmKAtKQuU-750-80.jpg.webp 750w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZyTc3ySw3A4NYmKAtKQuU-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZyTc3ySw3A4NYmKAtKQuU-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZyTc3ySw3A4NYmKAtKQuU-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\">Lotte Kopecky, Demi Vollering, and Kasia Niewadoma-Phinney are among the top contenders for the elite women&#8217;s road race in Montreal<\/span><span class=\"credit font-article-copy\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo\" class=\"contents\" data-only-inline=\"1\">\n<div class=\"visible flex flex-row flex-nowrap sticky max-lg:-ml-5 top-[var(--site-header-height,60px)] sm:top-0 z-[9994] w-screen lg:w-full h-[50px] bg-white p-0 mb-5 border-neutral-200 border border-solid\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Variants:Inline\" data-analytics-id=\"sticky-nav\" id=\"sticky-nav--inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"sticky-nav\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-row w-full h-full overflow-x-scroll overflow-y-hidden tracking-normal overscroll-x-contain\" id=\"sticky-nav__scroll-container\"><span class=\"pl-4 my-auto text-base font-semibold font-article-heading lg:pl-3 lg:text-sm whitespace-nowrap uppercase\">Jump To:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-row w-auto border-y-0\">\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\nborder-b-[3px] border-b-(--jumpto-underline-color) border-solid font-semibold \" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Demi Vollering<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Marlen Reusser<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Kim Le Court-Pienaar<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Lotte Kopecky<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Paula Blasi<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Elisa Longo Borghini<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>C\u00e9lia Gery<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Others to watch<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto paywall-locker\">\n<div data-analytics-id=\"utility-bar\" id=\"utility-bar\" 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of the women&#8217;s and men&#8217;s pelotons head to Montreal.<\/p>\n<p>The elite women&#8217;s road race is held on Saturday, September 26, and a peloton of 148 riders will be tackling the hilly 180.1km route featuring the closing Mount Royal circuit and eight ascents of the Camillien-Houde climb (2.3km at 6.2%).<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-8f1a4b98-b664-11f1-bb0a-2bc5ad03d6b1-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Home racer Magdeleine Vallieres Mill will be defending the title she won last year in Kigali, Rwanda, but there are a host of other big names lining up at the start in Brossard, hoping to take home the rainbow jersey.<\/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\">Here are our contenders for the elite women&#8217;s road race at the 2026 UCI Road World Championships.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-demi-vollering-netherlands\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Demi Vollering (Netherlands)<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-a4e167b0-b7e8-11f1-a4d9-57129dc9f928\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6AFYYQKKsSieR5QUAqkH3j-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6AFYYQKKsSieR5QUAqkH3j-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6AFYYQKKsSieR5QUAqkH3j-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6AFYYQKKsSieR5QUAqkH3j-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6AFYYQKKsSieR5QUAqkH3j-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6AFYYQKKsSieR5QUAqkH3j-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Demi Vollering raced to silver at the 2023 Worlds in Glasgow <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-bb4ad25a-b664-11f1-81b1-4d460f585902\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Dutch racer Demi Vollering lines up as the top favourite for glory this weekend, having swept almost all before her this season.<\/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\/EiwFQdPrTt9yPqqhnYs8M-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EiwFQdPrTt9yPqqhnYs8M-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\">Marlen Reusser or Demi Vollering? Can anyone challenge the two favourites in the World Championships elite women&#8217;s time trial?<\/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\/gSC9dCAkKbvyhen4EC8H3L-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gSC9dCAkKbvyhen4EC8H3L-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\">Home favourite Bella Holmgren, Bunel leads French defence, Australia&#8217;s stacked squad \u2013 World Championships women&#8217;s under-23 road race contenders<\/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\/4w3qLesyYvCrGoyJcKfVvi-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4w3qLesyYvCrGoyJcKfVvi-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\">The best riders who have never won at the Road World Championships \u2013 and who could change that in 2026<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Vollering dominated the spring with wins at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, the Tour of Flanders, Li\u00e8ge-Bastogne-Li\u00e8ge, and La Fl\u00e8che Wallonne before doing the double in Grand Tour season with wins at the Giro d&#8217;Italia and Tour de France.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Her most recent outing was an eighth-place finish in the Worlds time trial this week, finishing 1:49 down on Marlen Reusser, but she&#8217;s better suited to the hilly road race. Her Worlds road race history consists of a second place in Glasgow, fifth in Zurich, and seventh places in Leuven and Kigali.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-3qoVv2rWW6KjuKA7WALMUT\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-3qoVv2rWW6KjuKA7WALMUT 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\">Vollering will line up with the strongest support squad in the race, with Karlijn Swinkels, Riejanne Markus (fifth last year, Lieke Nooijen, Puck Pieterse, Amber Kraak, and Femke De Vries all on hand to support her rainbow jersey bid.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-marlen-reusser-switzerland\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Marlen Reusser (Switzerland)<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-a4e16832-b7e8-11f1-b22d-95f33b823c05\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ueKd8dD7Pxt6qjnbktxeQ3-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ueKd8dD7Pxt6qjnbktxeQ3-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ueKd8dD7Pxt6qjnbktxeQ3-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ueKd8dD7Pxt6qjnbktxeQ3-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ueKd8dD7Pxt6qjnbktxeQ3-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ueKd8dD7Pxt6qjnbktxeQ3-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Marlen Reusser recently won the time trial world title <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-bb4ad2c8-b664-11f1-9e93-c592cb8e0d0c\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Swiss team leader Marlen Reusser is riding high after her Worlds time trial triumph this week, where she dominated the 39.2km ride to win by 40 seconds over Zoe B\u00e4ckstedt.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">This season, she&#8217;s won the Dwars door Vlaanderen and Tour de Suisse, also wearing the Tour de France yellow jersey before falling out of contention during the final weekend.<\/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\/dkNBfv8UpN2da7mxUPFFNn-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dkNBfv8UpN2da7mxUPFFNn-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;A once-in-a-career kind of thing&#8217; \u2013 A year on from a stunning victory, Canada&#8217;s top women riders look ahead to &#8216;special&#8217; home Road World Championships<\/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\/pkDVJi9MsWHf96JEXtc3sm-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pkDVJi9MsWHf96JEXtc3sm-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\">Small nations, rising stars, and the home advantage \u2013 Eight side quests and subplots to follow at the Montreal World Championships<\/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\/x2erRPrkRHSd8wS8rNtXkN-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/x2erRPrkRHSd8wS8rNtXkN-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\">Tour de France Femmes contenders \u2013 Demi Vollering and Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot poised for fantastic duel with Ventoux finale<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Reusser has been a perennial contender in the Worlds road race, with fourth place in Glasgow her best result to date. Last year, she raced to ninth place in Kigali, and she&#8217;ll be aiming for the medals here.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">There&#8217;ll be no Elise Chabbey (fourth last year) in the Swiss squad, but Tour Down Under champion Noemi R\u00fcegg will be on hand as Reusser&#8217;s primary lieutenant.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-kim-le-court-pienaar-mauritius\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Kim Le Court-Pienaar (Mauritius)<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-a4e168aa-b7e8-11f1-82b8-e3e2f1e00b6a\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JagaEtN4KzJQZaC8yq58yF-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JagaEtN4KzJQZaC8yq58yF-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JagaEtN4KzJQZaC8yq58yF-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JagaEtN4KzJQZaC8yq58yF-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JagaEtN4KzJQZaC8yq58yF-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JagaEtN4KzJQZaC8yq58yF-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Kim Le Court-Pienaar representing Mauritius at the 2025 Worlds in Kigali <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-bb4ad336-b664-11f1-89a8-53c3994a078b\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Nestled among this list of leaders of major cycling nations is Kim Le Court-Pienaar, who leads Mauritius&#8217; two-woman squad in Montreal.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Despite that disadvantage (World Cycling Centre rider Lucie de Marigny-Lagesse is her only teammate), Le Court-Pienaar still lines up among the top favourites for the rainbow jersey.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">She&#8217;s one of the peloton&#8217;s top puncheurs, having risen to that status in the past two seasons with wins at Li\u00e8ge-Bastogne-Li\u00e8ge, two stages of the Tour de France, and a recent triumph at the Tour of Britain.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The hilly route is very well-suited to her abilities, and she finished in eighth place last year, showing she&#8217;s more than capable of racing to a high placing at the race&#8217;s end.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-lotte-kopecky-belgium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Lotte Kopecky (Belgium)<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-a4e16922-b7e8-11f1-854a-337bfbb5fece\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dRiTFWv7VbU3AGVQfk4EuR-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dRiTFWv7VbU3AGVQfk4EuR-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dRiTFWv7VbU3AGVQfk4EuR-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dRiTFWv7VbU3AGVQfk4EuR-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dRiTFWv7VbU3AGVQfk4EuR-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dRiTFWv7VbU3AGVQfk4EuR-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Lotte Kopecky is a double World Champion, having won here in Glasgow and the next year in Zurich <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-bb4ad39a-b664-11f1-889e-7588dc9f5ef6\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Along with reigning champion Vallieres Mill, Belgian leader Lotte Kopecky is the only previous World Champion lining up at the start this Saturday. The 30-year-old won the rainbow jersey in Glasgow and Zurich but didn&#8217;t take part last year.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">She skipped Worlds in 2025 after being plagued by a back problem throughout the year, and she hasn&#8217;t quite hit the same all-conquering level since.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">This spring she took a big win at Milan-San Remo as well as taking victory at Nokere Koerse and a stage of La Vuelta Femenina. She&#8217;s had less to shout about in the summer, however, barring a second-place finish from the break on the hilly stage 3 at the Tour de France.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">You can never count out a past champion like Kopecky, though, so she&#8217;ll be one to watch this weekend. A support squad of Shari Bossuyt, Lotte Claes, Julie Van de Velde, Margot Vanpachtebeke, and Sandrine Tas will race in support of her bid to do the triple.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-paula-blasi-spain\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Paula Blasi (Spain)<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-520c11e2-b7e9-11f1-b593-fbc960be2738\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6kvJb4WqEqpLoaRxpdmf6i-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6kvJb4WqEqpLoaRxpdmf6i-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6kvJb4WqEqpLoaRxpdmf6i-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6kvJb4WqEqpLoaRxpdmf6i-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6kvJb4WqEqpLoaRxpdmf6i-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6kvJb4WqEqpLoaRxpdmf6i-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">La Vuelta Femenina champion Paula Blasi is racing the elite Worlds for the second time <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-bb4ad3fe-b664-11f1-9e2f-25279a5e0b20\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Paula Blasi is racing just her second elite road race after making her debut in Zurich two years ago.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">She has enjoyed a rapid rise since then. Last year she won the Tour de Romandie, became under-23 European champion, and took bronze in the under-23 road race in Kigali. This season, she&#8217;s taken wins at Amstel Gold Race and La Vuelta Femenina, as well as the Tour F\u00e9minin des Pyr\u00e9n\u00e9es and the Volta a Catalunya and a fifth overall at the Tour de France.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Blasi has been one of the breakout riders of the year and lines up among the favourites and the leader of a strong Spanish squad in Montreal. Supporting her rainbow jersey bid are Mavi Garc\u00eda (third last year), Mireia Benito, Usoa Ostolaza, Sandra Alonso, and Sara Mart\u00edn.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-elisa-longo-borghini-italy\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Elisa Longo Borghini (Italy)<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-520c126e-b7e9-11f1-84b7-4fe7cc053aa6\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jtLqniUPJL5qQJjcs2Tez6-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jtLqniUPJL5qQJjcs2Tez6-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jtLqniUPJL5qQJjcs2Tez6-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jtLqniUPJL5qQJjcs2Tez6-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jtLqniUPJL5qQJjcs2Tez6-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jtLqniUPJL5qQJjcs2Tez6-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Elisa Longo Borghini has won three bronzes, including this one in Zurich <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-bb4ad462-b664-11f1-94a4-dbcc23bede5f\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Italy leader Elisa Longo Borghini is once again on the hunt for the rainbow jersey, having previously picked up three bronze medals (Valkenburg 2012, Imola 2020, Zurich 2024) and two other top-five finishes (Richmond 2015, Harrogate 2019).<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">She&#8217;s a perennial contender at the Worlds and similar hilly races, and she&#8217;s had a good year, with wins at the UAE Tour and the Italian Championships as well as a stage and fourth overall at the Giro d&#8217;Italia and a long-awaited podium at the Tour de France.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Morale will be high, too, after Italy sped to the rainbow jersey at the TTT mixed relay midweek, while Longo Borghini is clearly in good form after racing to fourth in the individual time trial.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Francesca Barale, Sara Casasola, Eleonora Gasparrini, Erica Magnaldi, Silvia Persico, and Monica Trinca Colonel form a strong backup squad for their leader.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-kasia-niewiadoma-phinney-poland\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney (Poland)<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-8e8b1cd4-b7ea-11f1-9f2b-bf6b3e4c70e4\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EqYVxgHDrtXHEL9AEYWNjN-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EqYVxgHDrtXHEL9AEYWNjN-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EqYVxgHDrtXHEL9AEYWNjN-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EqYVxgHDrtXHEL9AEYWNjN-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EqYVxgHDrtXHEL9AEYWNjN-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EqYVxgHDrtXHEL9AEYWNjN-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Kasia Niewadoma-Phinney raced to bronze at the Leuven Worlds <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-bb4ad4c6-b664-11f1-b99b-59aef1c32fca\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Poland&#8217;s Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney is another rider who regularly heads to Worlds as a top contender, though she hasn&#8217;t had the best of luck in her last three appearances, with 10th place in Kigali her best result.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">She has a fifth place (at Bergen 2017) and a bronze (at Leuven 2021) on her palmar\u00e8s, and she&#8217;s always been strong on this kind of hilly circuit, with wins at the Ardennes Classics and Trofeo Binda to her name.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">This season, there have been plenty of second places at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, Strade Bianche, Amstel Gold Race, and the Tour de France, while her big win of the year came in France atop Mont Ventoux.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Once again, Niewiadoma-Phinney will face off against her major rival Demi Vollering, though she hasn&#8217;t raced since the Tour, so we have no way to gauge her current form. She&#8217;ll no doubt be ready to contend, though, and she&#8217;ll have Dominika W\u0142odarczyk, Marta Lach, Marta Jaskulska, and Kaja Rysz backing her up.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-celia-gery-france\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>C\u00e9lia Gery (France)<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-8e8b1d60-b7ea-11f1-b717-13c5ef39a9cb\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/39VAx8KHCmdn3fHf4n58zk-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/39VAx8KHCmdn3fHf4n58zk-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/39VAx8KHCmdn3fHf4n58zk-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/39VAx8KHCmdn3fHf4n58zk-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/39VAx8KHCmdn3fHf4n58zk-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/39VAx8KHCmdn3fHf4n58zk-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">C\u00e9lia Gery is the reigning under-23 women&#8217;s world champion <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-2bab42c4-b7e0-11f1-ab97-e78bfcf50569\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Reigning under-23 world champion C\u00e9lia Gery is stepping up to the elite level this year and could immediately be a contender after a very strong second season among the pros.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Last year, Gery won three stages of the Tour de l&#8217;Avenir before triumphing in Kigali. This season, she&#8217;s won Brabantse Pijl, the GP de Chamb\u00e9ry, a stage of the Giro d&#8217;Italia, and the French national title. That&#8217;s in addition to providing vital assistance in Demi Vollering&#8217;s Giro and Tour victories.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The lead-in to Worlds has seen her on the podium twice at the Ponte de Raz and GP de Wallonie, so she&#8217;s clearly in good form.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Alongside Gery, France can look to C\u00e9drine Kerbaol and Juliette Berthet as potential outsiders, while Marie Le Net, L\u00e9a Curinier, Ma\u00ebva Squiban, and Evita Muzic round out a very strong lineup.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-others-to-watch\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Others to watch<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-8e8b1de2-b7ea-11f1-87be-dbf7427020f9\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mNYAsxPQCLNwnuuTE8vfmC-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mNYAsxPQCLNwnuuTE8vfmC-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mNYAsxPQCLNwnuuTE8vfmC-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mNYAsxPQCLNwnuuTE8vfmC-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mNYAsxPQCLNwnuuTE8vfmC-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mNYAsxPQCLNwnuuTE8vfmC-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">German racer Antonia Niedermaier is among a host of other riders to watch <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-bd1c6a5a-b7de-11f1-a77e-916a32f8eedc\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><strong>Magdeleine Vallieres Mill<\/strong> won the rainbow jersey for Canada last year. Her win was an outsider&#8217;s triumph, coming against the odds with a late breakaway. It would be a surprise to see her win again, though nothing can be ruled out. Her 24-year-old teammate <strong>Sarah Van Dam<\/strong>, racing her first elite Worlds, has enjoyed a strong season and is in form, so might be a better shout.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">New Zealand will be led by <strong>Niamh Fisher-Black<\/strong>, who raced to a silver medal in Kigali. She&#8217;s in good form, too, after racing to second place at the Faun Tour Femmes in the lead-up to Montreal.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Germany have several options to count on in the form of Paris-Roubaix champion Franziska Koch, 2024 fourth-place finisher Liane Lippert, and young star <strong>Antonia Niedermaier<\/strong>, who finished sixth in Kigali. 23-year-old Niedermaier, who finished seventh in the recent time trial, is probably their best bet.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">After over a year away from racing, <strong>Sarah Gigante<\/strong> was back in the peloton at the recent Faun Tour Femmes. She&#8217;ll lead Australia here, but while she has the class to contend on a hilly course, it would be surprising to see her at her best here after such a long layoff.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><strong>Kate Courtney<\/strong> takes on her first Road World Championships, having already won rainbow jerseys on the mountain bike. She doesn&#8217;t have too much experience on the road bike, but her National Championships win and a positive outing at the Tour of Britain show she could be one to watch.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Great Britain don&#8217;t have an outright favourite, but <strong>Lauren Dickson<\/strong> could be in with a shout after a strong neo-pro season which has seen her take 11th at the Giro, plus third places at Itzulia Women and the Faun Tour Femmes. Zoe B\u00e4ckstedt also lines up following her time trial bronze, though the course is likely too hilly for the 22-year-old.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Other outsiders to watch include <strong>Caroline Andersson<\/strong> (Sweden), who finished 11th last year, <strong>Christina Schweinberger<\/strong> (Austria), who was fifth in Glasgow, and Tour de France breakaway hero <strong>Sigrid Haugset<\/strong> (Norway).<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-b1b381e2-b664-11f1-a424-8d887347acd6\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><em><strong>Subscribe to Cyclingnews for comprehensive race coverage of both the UCI Road and Gravel World Championships, alongside the final monument of the season, Il Lombardia. Subscribers get unlimited access to 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><\/em><u><em><strong>Join today.<\/strong><\/em><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-3qoVv2rWW6KjuKA7WALMUT\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-3qoVv2rWW6KjuKA7WALMUT slice-container-authorBio\">\n<div class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio slice-container-authorBio\" id=\"slice-container-authorBio\" data-component-name=\"Slice:AuthorBio\">\n<div class=\"author author__default-layout author--separator author--collapsible\" data-author-bio-max-height=\"250\" data-author-bio-read-more=\"Read more\" data-author-bio-read-less=\"Read less\">\n<div class=\"author__header\">\n<div class=\"author__avatar-block\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding\">\n<div>\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sZZXd8K4JqxjkRK7teBMFc-140-80.jpg.webp 140w\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__heading\">\n<div class=\"author__name\">\n<p>Dani Ostanek<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__social\">\n<nav class=\"button-social-group author__social-buttons\" aria-labelledby=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">\n<div id=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">\nSocial Links Navigation\n<\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__role\">Senior News Writer<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>Dani Ostanek is Senior News Writer at <em>Cyclingnews<\/em>, having joined in 2017 as a freelance contributor before being hired full-time. Her favourite races include the Paris-Roubaix, Tour de France Femmes, Tro-Bro L\u00e9on, and cycling&#8217;s fourth Grand Tour, the Volta a Portugal.<\/p>\n<\/div>\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\/EiwFQdPrTt9yPqqhnYs8M-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EiwFQdPrTt9yPqqhnYs8M-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EiwFQdPrTt9yPqqhnYs8M-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EiwFQdPrTt9yPqqhnYs8M-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EiwFQdPrTt9yPqqhnYs8M-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\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Marlen Reusser or Demi Vollering? Can anyone challenge the two favourites in the World Championships elite women&#8217;s time trial?<\/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\/gSC9dCAkKbvyhen4EC8H3L-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gSC9dCAkKbvyhen4EC8H3L-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gSC9dCAkKbvyhen4EC8H3L-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gSC9dCAkKbvyhen4EC8H3L-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gSC9dCAkKbvyhen4EC8H3L-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\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Home favourite Bella Holmgren, Bunel leads French defence, Australia&#8217;s stacked squad \u2013 World Championships women&#8217;s under-23 road race contenders<\/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\/4w3qLesyYvCrGoyJcKfVvi-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4w3qLesyYvCrGoyJcKfVvi-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4w3qLesyYvCrGoyJcKfVvi-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4w3qLesyYvCrGoyJcKfVvi-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4w3qLesyYvCrGoyJcKfVvi-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\">The best riders who have never won at the Road World Championships \u2013 and who could change that in 2026<\/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\/dkNBfv8UpN2da7mxUPFFNn-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dkNBfv8UpN2da7mxUPFFNn-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dkNBfv8UpN2da7mxUPFFNn-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dkNBfv8UpN2da7mxUPFFNn-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dkNBfv8UpN2da7mxUPFFNn-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\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;A once-in-a-career kind of thing&#8217; \u2013 A year on from a stunning victory, Canada&#8217;s top women riders look ahead to &#8216;special&#8217; home Road World 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\/pkDVJi9MsWHf96JEXtc3sm-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pkDVJi9MsWHf96JEXtc3sm-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pkDVJi9MsWHf96JEXtc3sm-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pkDVJi9MsWHf96JEXtc3sm-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pkDVJi9MsWHf96JEXtc3sm-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\">Small nations, rising stars, and the home advantage \u2013 Eight side quests and subplots to follow at the Montreal World 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\/x2erRPrkRHSd8wS8rNtXkN-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/x2erRPrkRHSd8wS8rNtXkN-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/x2erRPrkRHSd8wS8rNtXkN-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/x2erRPrkRHSd8wS8rNtXkN-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/x2erRPrkRHSd8wS8rNtXkN-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\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tour de France Femmes contenders \u2013 Demi Vollering and Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot poised for fantastic duel with Ventoux finale<\/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 Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/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\/nMjRVV6D9oZc92oPqTwTKg-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nMjRVV6D9oZc92oPqTwTKg-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nMjRVV6D9oZc92oPqTwTKg-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nMjRVV6D9oZc92oPqTwTKg-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nMjRVV6D9oZc92oPqTwTKg-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\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Mara Winter surprises with fourth place in women&#8217;s U23 World Championships road race<\/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\/b3AeKtJW5YrdYm2FaJUAcE-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/b3AeKtJW5YrdYm2FaJUAcE-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/b3AeKtJW5YrdYm2FaJUAcE-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/b3AeKtJW5YrdYm2FaJUAcE-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/b3AeKtJW5YrdYm2FaJUAcE-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\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;It was my dream after last year&#8217;s second place&#8217; &#8211; Redemption for U23 world champion Chlado\u0148ov\u00e1 after near miss in 2025<\/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\/UR7X2tWYWBbYXPC4VqeVNN-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UR7X2tWYWBbYXPC4VqeVNN-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UR7X2tWYWBbYXPC4VqeVNN-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UR7X2tWYWBbYXPC4VqeVNN-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UR7X2tWYWBbYXPC4VqeVNN-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\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;If I had the legs, then I would have been alone&#8217; &#8211; Canadian star Isabella Holmgren&#8217;s blueprint for gold turns to silver in women&#8217;s U23 road race at Road Worlds<\/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\/f6VyAvxm9WRkSG4vs8hsgT-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/f6VyAvxm9WRkSG4vs8hsgT-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/f6VyAvxm9WRkSG4vs8hsgT-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/f6VyAvxm9WRkSG4vs8hsgT-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/f6VyAvxm9WRkSG4vs8hsgT-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\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">UCI Road World Championships: Vikt\u00f3ria Chlado\u0148ov\u00e1 beats Isabella Holmgren to win under-23 women&#8217;s title<\/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\/vTasbyEmQE6MUH8Th6DC7S-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vTasbyEmQE6MUH8Th6DC7S-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vTasbyEmQE6MUH8Th6DC7S-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vTasbyEmQE6MUH8Th6DC7S-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vTasbyEmQE6MUH8Th6DC7S-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\">Safety<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Female cyclists 50% more likely to be injured in crashes and suffer 2.5 times more fractures, new UCI study finds<\/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\/zgL79xBbCiXoqkg9hVbCs3-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zgL79xBbCiXoqkg9hVbCs3-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zgL79xBbCiXoqkg9hVbCs3-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zgL79xBbCiXoqkg9hVbCs3-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zgL79xBbCiXoqkg9hVbCs3-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Five teams pull out of Tour of Chongming Island as UCI removes mandatory participation following Tour of Guangxi cancellation<\/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 Previews<\/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\/6jDGsfsB9yt2gJadTf8auJ-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6jDGsfsB9yt2gJadTf8auJ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6jDGsfsB9yt2gJadTf8auJ-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6jDGsfsB9yt2gJadTf8auJ-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6jDGsfsB9yt2gJadTf8auJ-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\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Can anyone kick the Europeans off the top spot? \u2013 World Championships junior women\u2019s road race contenders<\/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\/tjxzf8EsCzYu2pgXrkBTKX-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tjxzf8EsCzYu2pgXrkBTKX-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tjxzf8EsCzYu2pgXrkBTKX-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tjxzf8EsCzYu2pgXrkBTKX-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tjxzf8EsCzYu2pgXrkBTKX-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\">France&#8217;s next prodigy and Brazil&#8217;s best chance at a rainbow jersey \u2013 World Championships under-23 men&#8217;s road race contenders<\/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\/gSC9dCAkKbvyhen4EC8H3L-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gSC9dCAkKbvyhen4EC8H3L-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gSC9dCAkKbvyhen4EC8H3L-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gSC9dCAkKbvyhen4EC8H3L-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gSC9dCAkKbvyhen4EC8H3L-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\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Home favourite Bella Holmgren, Bunel leads French defence, Australia&#8217;s stacked squad \u2013 World Championships women&#8217;s under-23 road race contenders<\/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\/sGfkV84vASJ3ab4GAUbz9a-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sGfkV84vASJ3ab4GAUbz9a-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sGfkV84vASJ3ab4GAUbz9a-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sGfkV84vASJ3ab4GAUbz9a-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sGfkV84vASJ3ab4GAUbz9a-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\">A wide open field of young stars going for glory \u2013 World Championships junior men&#8217;s road race contenders<\/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\/KTqA4mLjMT7Tp6FFpoj9qM-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KTqA4mLjMT7Tp6FFpoj9qM-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KTqA4mLjMT7Tp6FFpoj9qM-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KTqA4mLjMT7Tp6FFpoj9qM-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KTqA4mLjMT7Tp6FFpoj9qM-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\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">The next generation of specialists is expected to shine despite short course &#8211; World Championships junior women&#8217;s time trial contenders<\/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\/WwLm9GVQRZnZ5ATHRiA8te-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WwLm9GVQRZnZ5ATHRiA8te-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WwLm9GVQRZnZ5ATHRiA8te-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WwLm9GVQRZnZ5ATHRiA8te-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WwLm9GVQRZnZ5ATHRiA8te-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\">H\u00e9ctor \u00c1lvarez leads long list of future stars battling for rainbow stripes \u2013 Contenders for the U23 men&#8217;s time trial at Road World 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>\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 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aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRacing\n<\/li>\n<li>\nWomen&#8217;s Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRoad\n<\/li>\n<li>\nUCI Road World Championships\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>Vallieres Mill&#8217;s title defence, Kopecky&#8217;s comeback and is Demi Vollering actually unstoppable? &#8211; Analysing the World Championships elite women&#8217;s road race contenders<\/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<div class=\"my-auto vds-simple-byline\"><span class=\"inline-block vds-author\"><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nDani Ostanek <\/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=\"2026-09-24T12:12:27Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n24 September 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">Paula Blasi, Kim Le Court-Pienaar, Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney and Marlen Reusser all in quest for rainbow success in Canada<\/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. 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newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-8f1a4b98-b664-11f1-bb0a-2bc5ad03d6b1\">The final weekend of the Road World Championships is coming up, and the elite road races are headlining the event as the cream of the crop of the women&#8217;s and men&#8217;s pelotons head to Montreal.<\/p>\n<p>The elite women&#8217;s road race is held on Saturday, September 26, and a peloton of 148 riders will be tackling the hilly 180.1km route featuring the closing Mount Royal circuit and eight ascents of the Camillien-Houde climb (2.3km at 6.2%).<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-8f1a4b98-b664-11f1-bb0a-2bc5ad03d6b1-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Home racer Magdeleine Vallieres Mill will be defending the title she won last year in Kigali, Rwanda, but there are a host of other big names lining up at the start in Brossard, hoping to take home the rainbow jersey.<\/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\">Here are our contenders for the elite women&#8217;s road race at the 2026 UCI Road World Championships.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-demi-vollering-netherlands\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Demi Vollering (Netherlands)<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-a4e167b0-b7e8-11f1-a4d9-57129dc9f928\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6AFYYQKKsSieR5QUAqkH3j-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6AFYYQKKsSieR5QUAqkH3j-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6AFYYQKKsSieR5QUAqkH3j-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6AFYYQKKsSieR5QUAqkH3j-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6AFYYQKKsSieR5QUAqkH3j-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6AFYYQKKsSieR5QUAqkH3j-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Demi Vollering raced to silver at the 2023 Worlds in Glasgow <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-bb4ad25a-b664-11f1-81b1-4d460f585902\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Dutch racer Demi Vollering lines up as the top favourite for glory this weekend, having swept almost all before her this season.<\/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\/EiwFQdPrTt9yPqqhnYs8M-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EiwFQdPrTt9yPqqhnYs8M-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\">Marlen Reusser or Demi Vollering? Can anyone challenge the two favourites in the World Championships elite women&#8217;s time trial?<\/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\/gSC9dCAkKbvyhen4EC8H3L-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gSC9dCAkKbvyhen4EC8H3L-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\">Home favourite Bella Holmgren, Bunel leads French defence, Australia&#8217;s stacked squad \u2013 World Championships women&#8217;s under-23 road race contenders<\/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\/4w3qLesyYvCrGoyJcKfVvi-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4w3qLesyYvCrGoyJcKfVvi-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\">The best riders who have never won at the Road World Championships \u2013 and who could change that in 2026<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Vollering dominated the spring with wins at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, the Tour of Flanders, Li\u00e8ge-Bastogne-Li\u00e8ge, and La Fl\u00e8che Wallonne before doing the double in Grand Tour season with wins at the Giro d&#8217;Italia and Tour de France.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Her most recent outing was an eighth-place finish in the Worlds time trial this week, finishing 1:49 down on Marlen Reusser, but she&#8217;s better suited to the hilly road race. Her Worlds road race history consists of a second place in Glasgow, fifth in Zurich, and seventh places in Leuven and Kigali.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-3qoVv2rWW6KjuKA7WALMUT\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-3qoVv2rWW6KjuKA7WALMUT 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\">Vollering will line up with the strongest support squad in the race, with Karlijn Swinkels, Riejanne Markus (fifth last year, Lieke Nooijen, Puck Pieterse, Amber Kraak, and Femke De Vries all on hand to support her rainbow jersey bid.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-marlen-reusser-switzerland\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Marlen Reusser (Switzerland)<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-a4e16832-b7e8-11f1-b22d-95f33b823c05\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ueKd8dD7Pxt6qjnbktxeQ3-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ueKd8dD7Pxt6qjnbktxeQ3-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ueKd8dD7Pxt6qjnbktxeQ3-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ueKd8dD7Pxt6qjnbktxeQ3-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ueKd8dD7Pxt6qjnbktxeQ3-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ueKd8dD7Pxt6qjnbktxeQ3-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Marlen Reusser recently won the time trial world title <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-bb4ad2c8-b664-11f1-9e93-c592cb8e0d0c\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Swiss team leader Marlen Reusser is riding high after her Worlds time trial triumph this week, where she dominated the 39.2km ride to win by 40 seconds over Zoe B\u00e4ckstedt.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">This season, she&#8217;s won the Dwars door Vlaanderen and Tour de Suisse, also wearing the Tour de France yellow jersey before falling out of contention during the final weekend.<\/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\/dkNBfv8UpN2da7mxUPFFNn-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dkNBfv8UpN2da7mxUPFFNn-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;A once-in-a-career kind of thing&#8217; \u2013 A year on from a stunning victory, Canada&#8217;s top women riders look ahead to &#8216;special&#8217; home Road World Championships<\/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\/pkDVJi9MsWHf96JEXtc3sm-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pkDVJi9MsWHf96JEXtc3sm-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\">Small nations, rising stars, and the home advantage \u2013 Eight side quests and subplots to follow at the Montreal World Championships<\/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\/x2erRPrkRHSd8wS8rNtXkN-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/x2erRPrkRHSd8wS8rNtXkN-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\">Tour de France Femmes contenders \u2013 Demi Vollering and Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot poised for fantastic duel with Ventoux finale<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Reusser has been a perennial contender in the Worlds road race, with fourth place in Glasgow her best result to date. Last year, she raced to ninth place in Kigali, and she&#8217;ll be aiming for the medals here.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">There&#8217;ll be no Elise Chabbey (fourth last year) in the Swiss squad, but Tour Down Under champion Noemi R\u00fcegg will be on hand as Reusser&#8217;s primary lieutenant.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-kim-le-court-pienaar-mauritius\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Kim Le Court-Pienaar (Mauritius)<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-a4e168aa-b7e8-11f1-82b8-e3e2f1e00b6a\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JagaEtN4KzJQZaC8yq58yF-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JagaEtN4KzJQZaC8yq58yF-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JagaEtN4KzJQZaC8yq58yF-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JagaEtN4KzJQZaC8yq58yF-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JagaEtN4KzJQZaC8yq58yF-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JagaEtN4KzJQZaC8yq58yF-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Kim Le Court-Pienaar representing Mauritius at the 2025 Worlds in Kigali <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-bb4ad336-b664-11f1-89a8-53c3994a078b\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Nestled among this list of leaders of major cycling nations is Kim Le Court-Pienaar, who leads Mauritius&#8217; two-woman squad in Montreal.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Despite that disadvantage (World Cycling Centre rider Lucie de Marigny-Lagesse is her only teammate), Le Court-Pienaar still lines up among the top favourites for the rainbow jersey.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">She&#8217;s one of the peloton&#8217;s top puncheurs, having risen to that status in the past two seasons with wins at Li\u00e8ge-Bastogne-Li\u00e8ge, two stages of the Tour de France, and a recent triumph at the Tour of Britain.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The hilly route is very well-suited to her abilities, and she finished in eighth place last year, showing she&#8217;s more than capable of racing to a high placing at the race&#8217;s end.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-lotte-kopecky-belgium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Lotte Kopecky (Belgium)<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-a4e16922-b7e8-11f1-854a-337bfbb5fece\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dRiTFWv7VbU3AGVQfk4EuR-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dRiTFWv7VbU3AGVQfk4EuR-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dRiTFWv7VbU3AGVQfk4EuR-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dRiTFWv7VbU3AGVQfk4EuR-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dRiTFWv7VbU3AGVQfk4EuR-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dRiTFWv7VbU3AGVQfk4EuR-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Lotte Kopecky is a double World Champion, having won here in Glasgow and the next year in Zurich <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-bb4ad39a-b664-11f1-889e-7588dc9f5ef6\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Along with reigning champion Vallieres Mill, Belgian leader Lotte Kopecky is the only previous World Champion lining up at the start this Saturday. The 30-year-old won the rainbow jersey in Glasgow and Zurich but didn&#8217;t take part last year.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">She skipped Worlds in 2025 after being plagued by a back problem throughout the year, and she hasn&#8217;t quite hit the same all-conquering level since.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">This spring she took a big win at Milan-San Remo as well as taking victory at Nokere Koerse and a stage of La Vuelta Femenina. She&#8217;s had less to shout about in the summer, however, barring a second-place finish from the break on the hilly stage 3 at the Tour de France.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">You can never count out a past champion like Kopecky, though, so she&#8217;ll be one to watch this weekend. A support squad of Shari Bossuyt, Lotte Claes, Julie Van de Velde, Margot Vanpachtebeke, and Sandrine Tas will race in support of her bid to do the triple.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-paula-blasi-spain\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Paula Blasi (Spain)<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-520c11e2-b7e9-11f1-b593-fbc960be2738\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6kvJb4WqEqpLoaRxpdmf6i-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6kvJb4WqEqpLoaRxpdmf6i-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6kvJb4WqEqpLoaRxpdmf6i-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6kvJb4WqEqpLoaRxpdmf6i-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6kvJb4WqEqpLoaRxpdmf6i-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6kvJb4WqEqpLoaRxpdmf6i-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">La Vuelta Femenina champion Paula Blasi is racing the elite Worlds for the second time <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-bb4ad3fe-b664-11f1-9e2f-25279a5e0b20\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Paula Blasi is racing just her second elite road race after making her debut in Zurich two years ago.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">She has enjoyed a rapid rise since then. Last year she won the Tour de Romandie, became under-23 European champion, and took bronze in the under-23 road race in Kigali. This season, she&#8217;s taken wins at Amstel Gold Race and La Vuelta Femenina, as well as the Tour F\u00e9minin des Pyr\u00e9n\u00e9es and the Volta a Catalunya and a fifth overall at the Tour de France.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Blasi has been one of the breakout riders of the year and lines up among the favourites and the leader of a strong Spanish squad in Montreal. Supporting her rainbow jersey bid are Mavi Garc\u00eda (third last year), Mireia Benito, Usoa Ostolaza, Sandra Alonso, and Sara Mart\u00edn.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-elisa-longo-borghini-italy\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Elisa Longo Borghini (Italy)<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-520c126e-b7e9-11f1-84b7-4fe7cc053aa6\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jtLqniUPJL5qQJjcs2Tez6-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jtLqniUPJL5qQJjcs2Tez6-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jtLqniUPJL5qQJjcs2Tez6-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jtLqniUPJL5qQJjcs2Tez6-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jtLqniUPJL5qQJjcs2Tez6-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jtLqniUPJL5qQJjcs2Tez6-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Elisa Longo Borghini has won three bronzes, including this one in Zurich <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-bb4ad462-b664-11f1-94a4-dbcc23bede5f\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Italy leader Elisa Longo Borghini is once again on the hunt for the rainbow jersey, having previously picked up three bronze medals (Valkenburg 2012, Imola 2020, Zurich 2024) and two other top-five finishes (Richmond 2015, Harrogate 2019).<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">She&#8217;s a perennial contender at the Worlds and similar hilly races, and she&#8217;s had a good year, with wins at the UAE Tour and the Italian Championships as well as a stage and fourth overall at the Giro d&#8217;Italia and a long-awaited podium at the Tour de France.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Morale will be high, too, after Italy sped to the rainbow jersey at the TTT mixed relay midweek, while Longo Borghini is clearly in good form after racing to fourth in the individual time trial.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Francesca Barale, Sara Casasola, Eleonora Gasparrini, Erica Magnaldi, Silvia Persico, and Monica Trinca Colonel form a strong backup squad for their leader.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-kasia-niewiadoma-phinney-poland\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney (Poland)<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-8e8b1cd4-b7ea-11f1-9f2b-bf6b3e4c70e4\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EqYVxgHDrtXHEL9AEYWNjN-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EqYVxgHDrtXHEL9AEYWNjN-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EqYVxgHDrtXHEL9AEYWNjN-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EqYVxgHDrtXHEL9AEYWNjN-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EqYVxgHDrtXHEL9AEYWNjN-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EqYVxgHDrtXHEL9AEYWNjN-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Kasia Niewadoma-Phinney raced to bronze at the Leuven Worlds <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-bb4ad4c6-b664-11f1-b99b-59aef1c32fca\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Poland&#8217;s Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney is another rider who regularly heads to Worlds as a top contender, though she hasn&#8217;t had the best of luck in her last three appearances, with 10th place in Kigali her best result.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">She has a fifth place (at Bergen 2017) and a bronze (at Leuven 2021) on her palmar\u00e8s, and she&#8217;s always been strong on this kind of hilly circuit, with wins at the Ardennes Classics and Trofeo Binda to her name.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">This season, there have been plenty of second places at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, Strade Bianche, Amstel Gold Race, and the Tour de France, while her big win of the year came in France atop Mont Ventoux.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Once again, Niewiadoma-Phinney will face off against her major rival Demi Vollering, though she hasn&#8217;t raced since the Tour, so we have no way to gauge her current form. She&#8217;ll no doubt be ready to contend, though, and she&#8217;ll have Dominika W\u0142odarczyk, Marta Lach, Marta Jaskulska, and Kaja Rysz backing her up.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-celia-gery-france\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>C\u00e9lia Gery (France)<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-8e8b1d60-b7ea-11f1-b717-13c5ef39a9cb\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/39VAx8KHCmdn3fHf4n58zk-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/39VAx8KHCmdn3fHf4n58zk-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/39VAx8KHCmdn3fHf4n58zk-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/39VAx8KHCmdn3fHf4n58zk-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/39VAx8KHCmdn3fHf4n58zk-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/39VAx8KHCmdn3fHf4n58zk-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">C\u00e9lia Gery is the reigning under-23 women&#8217;s world champion <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-2bab42c4-b7e0-11f1-ab97-e78bfcf50569\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Reigning under-23 world champion C\u00e9lia Gery is stepping up to the elite level this year and could immediately be a contender after a very strong second season among the pros.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Last year, Gery won three stages of the Tour de l&#8217;Avenir before triumphing in Kigali. This season, she&#8217;s won Brabantse Pijl, the GP de Chamb\u00e9ry, a stage of the Giro d&#8217;Italia, and the French national title. That&#8217;s in addition to providing vital assistance in Demi Vollering&#8217;s Giro and Tour victories.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The lead-in to Worlds has seen her on the podium twice at the Ponte de Raz and GP de Wallonie, so she&#8217;s clearly in good form.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Alongside Gery, France can look to C\u00e9drine Kerbaol and Juliette Berthet as potential outsiders, while Marie Le Net, L\u00e9a Curinier, Ma\u00ebva Squiban, and Evita Muzic round out a very strong lineup.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-others-to-watch\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Others to watch<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-8e8b1de2-b7ea-11f1-87be-dbf7427020f9\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mNYAsxPQCLNwnuuTE8vfmC-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mNYAsxPQCLNwnuuTE8vfmC-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mNYAsxPQCLNwnuuTE8vfmC-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mNYAsxPQCLNwnuuTE8vfmC-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mNYAsxPQCLNwnuuTE8vfmC-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mNYAsxPQCLNwnuuTE8vfmC-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">German racer Antonia Niedermaier is among a host of other riders to watch <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-bd1c6a5a-b7de-11f1-a77e-916a32f8eedc\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><strong>Magdeleine Vallieres Mill<\/strong> won the rainbow jersey for Canada last year. Her win was an outsider&#8217;s triumph, coming against the odds with a late breakaway. It would be a surprise to see her win again, though nothing can be ruled out. Her 24-year-old teammate <strong>Sarah Van Dam<\/strong>, racing her first elite Worlds, has enjoyed a strong season and is in form, so might be a better shout.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">New Zealand will be led by <strong>Niamh Fisher-Black<\/strong>, who raced to a silver medal in Kigali. She&#8217;s in good form, too, after racing to second place at the Faun Tour Femmes in the lead-up to Montreal.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Germany have several options to count on in the form of Paris-Roubaix champion Franziska Koch, 2024 fourth-place finisher Liane Lippert, and young star <strong>Antonia Niedermaier<\/strong>, who finished sixth in Kigali. 23-year-old Niedermaier, who finished seventh in the recent time trial, is probably their best bet.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">After over a year away from racing, <strong>Sarah Gigante<\/strong> was back in the peloton at the recent Faun Tour Femmes. She&#8217;ll lead Australia here, but while she has the class to contend on a hilly course, it would be surprising to see her at her best here after such a long layoff.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><strong>Kate Courtney<\/strong> takes on her first Road World Championships, having already won rainbow jerseys on the mountain bike. She doesn&#8217;t have too much experience on the road bike, but her National Championships win and a positive outing at the Tour of Britain show she could be one to watch.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Great Britain don&#8217;t have an outright favourite, but <strong>Lauren Dickson<\/strong> could be in with a shout after a strong neo-pro season which has seen her take 11th at the Giro, plus third places at Itzulia Women and the Faun Tour Femmes. Zoe B\u00e4ckstedt also lines up following her time trial bronze, though the course is likely too hilly for the 22-year-old.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Other outsiders to watch include <strong>Caroline Andersson<\/strong> (Sweden), who finished 11th last year, <strong>Christina Schweinberger<\/strong> (Austria), who was fifth in Glasgow, and Tour de France breakaway hero <strong>Sigrid Haugset<\/strong> (Norway).<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-b1b381e2-b664-11f1-a424-8d887347acd6\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><em><strong>Subscribe to Cyclingnews for comprehensive race coverage of both the UCI Road and Gravel World Championships, alongside the final monument of the season, Il Lombardia. Subscribers get unlimited access to 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><\/em><u><em><strong>Join today.<\/strong><\/em><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/womens-cycling\/vallieres-mills-title-defence-kopeckys-comeback-and-is-demi-vollering-actually-unstoppable-analysing-the-world-championships-elite-womens-road-race-contenders\/&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ucnW4C33CudyUarHcb5GJ-2560-80.jpghttps:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZyTc3ySw3A4NYmKAtKQuU-2560-80.jpg&#8221;] 1 Start times for Road World Championships elite men&#8217;s and women&#8217;s time trial 2 As it happened: Birthday joy for reigning champion in World Road Championships women&#8217;s elite individual time trial 2026 3 Road World Championships: Marlen Reusser storms to victory in elite women&#8217;s time trial, catching Demi Vollering en route to [&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-2162123","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\/2162123","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=2162123"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2162123\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2162123"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2162123"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2162123"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}