World Championship 2025: Men’s ITT, September 21

[Berniece]

In an interview with Evenepoel at the airport before he left for Rwanda he sounded quite confident about the ITT. He said he's happy Pogacar is also riding it, and knows Pogi will be ready for it, but hopes it won't be close. Evenepoel clearly still expects him to take the win.

 

[Wyndbrook]

With Pogacar and Evenepoel racing it provides the sparkle, but only three of last year's top ten competing.
No Ganna, Affini, Tarling, Asgreen, Foss, Campenaerts or McNulty,

 

[Berniece]

With Pogacar and Evenepoel racing it provides the sparkle, but only three of last year's top ten competing.
No Ganna, Affini, Tarling, Asgreen, Foss, Campenaerts or McNulty,

On this type of course many of them wouldn't even ride top 10 anyway.

 

[Danskebjerge]

The startlist quality at this ITT is lower than the startlist quality at the Tour of Luxembourg.

Yes, I know there are fewer riders in Rwanda, but after the 33rd strongest rider they don't count at all (because of their weak UCI and PCS ranking), so it wouldn't matter if more riders participated.

Even in the top 10 at the ITT, there are riders outside the world's strongest 100 riders.

The 20th strongest rider in the line-up is Charles Kagimu who is currently 305th in the ranking.

It's the weakest TT startlist in five years (Australia 2022 included). It beats the corona year though (2020):

2021 346
2022 286
2023 392
2024 285
2025 271

 

[Lequack]

The Brits have arrived.

 

[Lequack]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1968616017371844935

View: https://x.com/FilsDeBoncoeur/status/1968616017371844935

 

[Krzysztof_O]

On this type of course many of them wouldn't even ride top 10 anyway.

Agreed, this is not really Ganna's or Tarling's type of TT. Not saying they would totally flop but I do think that Evenepoel and Pogacar at their best are the men to beat on such a course.

 

[Red Rick]

On this type of course many of them wouldn't even ride top 10 anyway.

I believe it's mainly the location that those guys aren't even showing up to begin with. If it were a similarly hilly ITT in Europe most would show up in my view.

 

[Berflamand]

I think on this course Roglic is the biggest one missing. I think he definitely could have podiumed and who knows maybe even upset Pogi and/or Remco.

Also Almeida and McNulty if we're looking at top 5 candidates I guess.

 

[Berflamand]

I believe it's mainly the location that those guys aren't even showing up to begin with. If it were a similarly hilly ITT in Europe most would show up in my view.

A combination of location, parcours and the (for some) better suited ECC TT right after the Worlds would be my guess.

 

[Peyroteo94]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1968616017371844935

View: https://x.com/FilsDeBoncoeur/status/1968616017371844935

Those cobbles aren't that smooth

 

[Berflamand]

Those cobbles aren't that smooth

I don't think it will matter much.

They're only doing this climb once in the Road Race although it does come right after the Mont Kigali.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

I think on this course Roglic is the biggest one missing. I think he definitely could have podiumed and who knows maybe even upset Pogi and/or Remco.

Also Almeida and McNulty if we're looking at top 5 candidates I guess.

Yeah, Roglic in good form is top3 material definitely. Almeida maybe too tired after the Vuelta. McNulty? Who knows, he looked so good in Canada but he will be totally missing in action (like a few other top guys), undoubtedly the location made some stay home.

 

[Berniece]

I think on this course Roglic is the biggest one missing. I think he definitely could have podiumed and who knows maybe even upset Pogi and/or Remco.

Also Almeida and McNulty if we're looking at top 5 candidates I guess.

I'm also missing Ayuso. Could've been a real podium contender if he is in great shape

 

[Breh]

Vingegaard could've podiumed aswell

 

[Krzysztof_O]

Vingegaard could've podiumed aswell

With decent preparation maybe but I think Tour + Vuelta double was too much for him.

 

[Red Rick]

I wonder if UAE still has the weight issues with the TT bike.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

I wonder if UAE still has the weight issues with the TT bike.

Doesn't matter on equator due to decreased gravity.

Source: Red Rick

 

[Red Rick]

Doesn't matter on equator due to decreased gravity.

Source: Red Rick

It matters 0.4% less buddy.

 

[theyoungest]

In an interview with Evenepoel at the airport before he left for Rwanda he sounded quite confident about the ITT. He said he's happy Pogacar is also riding it, and knows Pogi will be ready for it, but hopes it won't be close. Evenepoel clearly still expects him to take the win.

This way it seems like he expects Pogi will win, but you probably mean that Evenepoel expects to win himself.

 

[tobydawq]

I think on this course Roglic is the biggest one missing. I think he definitely could have podiumed and who knows maybe even upset Pogi and/or Remco.

Also Almeida and McNulty if we're looking at top 5 candidates I guess.

Vingegaard too.

 

[Berniece]

This way it seems like he expects Pogi will win, but you probably mean that Evenepoel expects to win himself.

His exact (google translated) words were:
When Pogacar sets his mind to something, it's a sign he feels ready. I'm looking forward to the battle. Hopefully, it won't be a close one, but he's a great additional challenger.

I'm indeed pretty sure Evenepoel expects himself to win.

 

[Red Rick]

He hasnt mentioned his weight, which means he's likely fat again considering if he was skinny he wouldn't shut up about it.

 

[tobydawq]

Doesn't matter on equator due to decreased gravity.

Source: Red Rick

Too bad all the sprinters don't know physics

 

[Krzysztof_O]

Too bad all the sprinters don't know physics

They are not as brilliant as our @Red Rick . They just push pedals hard.