Mathieu van der Poel was one of the headliners going into the Montral World Championships, and was the rider who spent the most time on the attack in the race. The leader of the Dutch team was the protagonist of several key moments of the race, and came away with a bronze medal. The Alpecin-Premie...

He was the most unlikely of names on the start list: a team masseur, without a single UCI point, who hadnt raced a bike in nine years. But Slovakias Vladimr Kovik ended up one of the heroes of this years UCI Road World Championships, after he was drafted in at the last minute to represent his country, and held pace with the peloton for over 100km. The 28-year-old masseur started alone for Slovakia in Sundays elite mens road race in Montreal, Canada. His country was allowed to field up to four riders; however, all the other hopefuls either dropped out due to injury or prior commitments to their trade teams. Failing to field a rider could have had repercussions on the nation's qualification for the LA Olympics in 2028; the UCI might have downgraded the ranking of Slovakias national championships for next year, meaning their riders would earn half as many qualification points. So, with the deadline already passed for registering new riders, the national team coach turned to an unlikely source: 28-year-old Kovik, who still held a racing licence, and had travelled to Canada as a soigneur for the squad. I dont have words for this one. It's a dream for every rider, and Im a masseur, so its crazy, Kovik told Eurosport ahead of the race start. The information was that the last rider was really injured and he couldnt come, so a few days ago, it was the last option. Prior to Sunday, Koviks last race came at a Polish one-day event in 2017 that he did not finish, then aged 19. He lasted just over 100km within the peloton on his Worlds debut, before he was dropped on the entrance to the finishing circuit in Montreal, with around 168km to go, and pulled out of the race. Vlad Kovacik is dropped from the peloton at the entrance in the circuit. He stayed in the peloton for 100 km, good job. #Montreal2026 https://t.co/Nn9lkdwPS6 pic.twitter.com/VhcNmwMu4JSeptember 27, 2026Speaking beforehand, he said he had done a little bit of training, but just only like an amateur. It was a little difficult to put the numbers on, because it was nine years ago when I did it for the last time. And I shaved my legs. Yeah really, really difficult, he laughed.The world title was won in the end by the USAs Brandon McNulty, who soloed from a front group with 33km to go. Slovakia have won the event three times in the past, all courtesy of Peter Sagan, who went back-to-back-to-back between 2015 and 2017. The country won gold in the under-23 road race in Canada last week through Viktria Chladaov.

Tom Pidcock said he had "no regrets" after finishing seventh at Sundays elite men's World Championships road race, despite looking like one of the strongest riders in the event.After new champion Brandon McNulty attacked with 33km to go, strong support from his USA teammates especially Matteo Jorgenson had made it very difficult to establish any gaps, said Pidcock afterwards.Tactically, it was very difficult," said the Yorkshire rider, who spearheaded the Great Britain team alongside Oscar Onley. "I think I had really, really good legs. But to make the difference, to get the gap with the wind the way it was, and with the USA team with Matteo [Jorgenson]... he was super strong after Brandon attacked."Pidcock also alluded to unspoken support for McNulty from the American's UAE Team Emirates-XRG trade teammate Isaac Del Toro. The young Mexican was part of the final selection and had looked strong enough to potentially feature in the medals. But, said Pidcock with a smile: "Of course, with Isaac on the same team [as McNulty], it was always going to be super difficult to make a difference there in the end after six hours."Pidcock was speaking post-race with a still-bloody knee a battle wound sustained in an early crash, which saw him forced to fight back from behind the peloton up to the front groups."The crash definitely didn't help, there was a bit of a chase," said Pidcock.The Pinarello Q36.5 rider said that the chase group of which he was a part seemed unwilling to work together in order to catch McNulty. He felt as though he had done all he could, he said, and would leave the race with no regrets."No, there was not much more I could have done," he said. "It was really difficult. No one wanted to work together in that group and to wait and gamble it all on the last lap and to try something I don't have any regrets, I think I did what I could."Its a bit disappointing, honestly, but I can be happy with my legs, and there's more years to try again.Onley and Adam Yates were the only other British finishers, with Onley coming home in 17th at 3:09, and Yates 31st at 6:37.

Belgium finished the World Championships' men's elite road race without a man in the Top10. Team national coach Serge Pauwels reflected on a day where neither Wout Van Aert or Remco Evenepoel rode according to expectations. The plans were clear for Belgium, even on a day where race radios were not...

The Pas Normal Escapism jersey has been designed in conjunction with the PAS Racing gravel team to create a jersey designed for fast paced gravel and hybrid riding.Earthy green and brown is very on-trend for gravel colour palettes (Image credit: Future - Andy Turner)Design detailsPNS says this jersey is designed for warmer conditions. Its made from lightweight, structured fabrics with a dry, matte hand feel, offering high breathability and a rugged look suited to long days off-road. Personally, the material is a bit heavier than the previous Escapism Light jersey, but this version adds a lot of new features that you don't always see in even the best gravel clothing.Instead of the standard three rear pockets, it now has a zip-up valuables pocket and an external side-entry stash pocket designed to prevent used wrappers from being pulled out of the main pockets when reaching for food. Two additional 'stash' pockets have been added to the rear of the arms of the jersey to keep them out of the airflow.The jersey also features a two-way zip, often reserved for gilets or jackets, designed to improve breathability while limiting material flapping at speed. The lower zip has a longer tab to make it easier to pull up while riding rough off-road terrain. The jersey is described as featuring a race fit, more akin to the Mechanism line of kit rather than the Essential, both from PNS. Paired with a silicone gripper across the rear, it aims to keep everything in place while riding on gravel surfaces.The jersey comes in three colours, Dark Red, Light Olive, and Black, with sizes ranging from XS to XXL.The jersey has a fairly close and race orientated fitFuture - Andy TurnerThe long sleeves and secure hem add to thisFuture - Andy TurnerThe two way zip can be helpful for temperature regulation, but it can also rub on the shorts (Image credit: Future - Andy Turner)PerformanceI like race fit jerseys because they keep everything in place, while a looser fit can cause pockets to shift at the rear. To that end, I've used the Escapism jersey across a range of gravel rides. It's performed well and is extremely comfortable. However, my testing period has raised a few questions.Firstly, that two-way zip. This often improves breathability, and to an extent, it can work with this jersey without the top section billowing. My issue is that it means no zip guard at the base of the jersey, and it's led to some pilling on the shorts I have used with it, as the zip or reinforced section at the base rubs the fabric. This leads me to my second minor gripe: personally, I find the fabric a bit too thick, so I can get very warm above 25C / 77F. Thats probably true of many jerseys, to be fair, but I would have preferred a more perforated material at the rear, especially since this is billed as a higher-paced gravel ride jersey, where more effort equals more heat.There are a surprisingly large number of pocket solutionsFuture - Andy TurnerThree standard rear pockets and two zip up valuables pockets are on the lower section of the jerseyFuture - Andy TurnerMeanwhile, pockets on the back of the arms can be used for smaller items or stashing rubbishFuture - Andy TurnerThere are a lot of elements that I do like on this jersey though. The little stash pockets on the rear of the arms are inspired. They keep wrappers out of airflow for some marginal aero gains, while freeing up the main pockets so that when you're pulling out food you dont spill the contents. There is another flap on the rear left of the jersey as well above the cargo pocket. Those pockets themselves are large and can fit a lot, be it spares or food, while the zip-up pockets keep valuables safe and secure.Another element I really like is the large silicone gripper at the rear. I hate when jerseys with loaded pockets shift around to one side on my back, and this gripper prevents that from ever happening. It does however get quite warm after a solid bout of higher intensity. I also like the colour options. Its a little clich going for earthy colours for gravel riding, but they are smart options and theres always black if you want a more standard offering. I just dont quite agree that the jersey is specifically for warmer conditions; I think the brand's previous Escapism Light jersey was more suitable for those conditions, while this version is something I could happily use in cooler spring or autumn conditions rather than height of summer.ValueAt 175 / $235 / 200, the Pas Normal Studios Escapism jersey is not cheap. Among gravel jersey competitors, the main players are probably the MAAP Alt_Road 2.0 (165 / $205), Rapha Brevet (195 / $275), and Castelli Unlimited Pro jersey (189 / $230). The Castelli Unlimited Pro features bladder storage and aero materials, while MAAP and Rapha use Merino fabrics to reduce synthetics and improve day-to-day use. However, I would say the pocket solutions on the PNS Escapism are the most comprehensive of the bunch, and the value isnt too bad against them.Of course, there are the likes of the Sportful Supergiara 2 jersey, which is just 90 / $125 and does feature some added pockets, but perhaps not as many smarter features.Tech specsPrice: 175 / $235 / 200Pockets: SevenFit: RaceType: Short sleeveColours: Dark Red, Light Olive, and BlackSizes: XS to XXL

Since the creation of the World Championships, European dominance has been overwhelming, with only three men born outside the continent conquering the rainbow jersey in the men's elite road race until this year. Brandon McNulty has become the fourth. Greg Lemond and Lance Armstrong came before McN...

Frances Paul Seixas cut a dejected figure as he passed through the media zone after the UCI World Championships road race on Sunday. He dropped his gaze to the ground, and responding to the press, brandished his performance a disgrace, after he cramped in the finale and fell out of contention. The 20-year-old jostled alongside the favourites until the final 13.8km lap of the 273.4km race. As his rivals attacked each other in a last-ditch attempt to close the tearaway winner, the USAs Brandon McNulty, Seixas posted up in the saddle, holding his left thigh. He went on to finish 15th overall, having said before the race that anything other than gold would be a disappointment. I dont really want to talk about it, he told Eurosport afterwards. What I did today is a disgrace. Cramping up like that, its a childish mistake. Ive never cramped up in my life on a bike.Im extremely disappointed, not only for myself because its what I deserve, but for the whole of France, the whole team, who did an incredible job and dont deserve a leader like me. Second-year pro Seixas has held the spotlight this season as French cyclings next big hope. He won the WorldTour stage race Itzulia Basque Country in April, followed by the one-day Classic La Flche Wallonne, and went on to finish fourth on his Tour de France debut as the races youngest starter in 89 years. He turned 20 last week, three days before the World Championships road race. Berating himself afterwards, he wondered if his downfall had been due to dehydration. Maybe I under-estimated how much I was sweating on the bike, he said. Its hard to be comforted right now. You cant move on to something else so easily. Itll take me a bit of time to process this, I think. Seixas stretches out his cramp beyond the finish line. (Image credit: Zac Williams/SWpix)Frances national coach, Thomas Voeckler, was more forgiving in his analysis of the race. Paul Seixas was part of the race with winners like that, he also told Eurosport, pointing to Paris-Roubaix winner Wout van Aert (Belgium). [Seixas] said before the race that any result other than a victory would be a failure, so he sees it as a failure. He needs time to process it. Its frustrating, but thats sport... Thats what makes cycling. Its no big deal. Im upset for him more than for myself. France worked hard to control the race in the early stages, relying on Bruno Armirail in particular to reel in the days breakaway. Looking back on how the race panned out, Voeckler said he wouldnt have changed the teams tactics. When someone wins, that doesnt mean they did everything right. And when someone doesnt win, that doesnt mean you have to throw everything away, he said. There are disappointed countries France is part of it, as is Belgium but we have to be reasonable; were talking about a boy, and were disappointed because we knew he had the potential to do it, but the guys just turned 20. Seixass chance at rainbow redemption will come on home soil next year, when the Super Worlds are scheduled to take place in Frances Haute-Savoie region, a two-hour drive from his home in Lyon. Despite his disappointment over his road race result, Seixas still left Canada with a bronze medal, earned in the individual time trial.

Tadej Pogacar has hailed Brandon McNulty as the new King of Montreal after his UAE Team Emirates - XRG teammate claimed the rainbow jersey on roads where the Slovenian had already helped deliver him one of the biggest wins of his career. The King of Montreal. Proud of you, Brandon, Pogacar poste...

New rules in Spain, and that includes the Canary Islands: Ride in the centre of the lane and always wear a helmet

Our 250th consecutive Monday morning installment of Weekend Snapshot showcases another hand-picked selection of ride photos from across our global community. Find scenes from three readers in the United States and share something from a recent journey here... The post Weekend Snapshot appeared first on BIKEPACKING.com.