The 2024 UCI Road World Championships kick off this Sunday, September 22, in Zurich, and the spotlight is on defending champion Mathieu van der Poel the following Sunday in the men's elite road race. After his spectacular win at the 2023 Worlds in Glasgow, van der Poel is looking to defend his title on a hilly Zurich course that will push him to his limits.

Van der Poel has been putting in the work, training in Spain to shed weight and prepare for the tough terrain. Just last week, he took his first victory since winning Paris-Roubaix, securing stage 1 at the Tour de Luxembourg. "It's always nice to win, and it's been a while since I could raise my hands," he said, clearly pleased with his form heading into the championships.

Though van der Poel downplays his chances, noting that he’s not one of the top favorites for this course, his unpredictability and ability to deliver in big moments make him a rider you can never count out. "We are trying to be a bit lighter than in the spring," he explained. "There is a small chance, but the course of the race will determine a lot."

Mathieu van der Poel’s Bid To Repeat

If van der Poel can pull off another victory, it will only further cement his legendary status in the cycling world. Whether it’s his explosive power on the climbs or a surprise late attack, van der Poel always brings excitement to the race, and Zurich will be no different.

But standing in his way is none other than Tadej Pogacar. Pogacar has a chance to achieve cycling’s rare Triple Crown—winning the Giro d’Italia, Tour de France, and World Championships all in the same year. Only two men, Stephen Roche in 1987 and Eddy Merckx in 1974, have ever accomplished this feat.

Pogacar, who skipped the Olympics to focus on these Worlds, is in top form after winning the Montreal GP last weekend. "I'm ready. I feel in good shape again," he said confidently. The 273km road race, with its short, punchy climbs, seems tailor-made for Pogacar’s aggressive riding style.

Tadej Pogacar Eyes The Triple Crown At World Championships

However, to achieve the Triple Crown, he’ll have to beat some serious contenders. Paris Olympics Champion Remco Evenepoel, Vuelta winner and Slovenian teammate Primoz Roglic, and Danish climber Mattias Skjelmose are all capable of spoiling Pogacar’s dream.

Other big names in the men’s race include Michael Matthews, Biniam Girmay, and the British trio of Tom Pidcock, Adam Yates, and Simon Yates. With so much talent in the field, this year’s World Championships promise plenty of drama.

Demi Vollering Seeks Redemption In 2024 Worlds

On the women’s side, Dutch rider Demi Vollering is out for redemption. After a heartbreaking crash cost her the yellow jersey at the Tour de France Femmes by just four seconds, Vollering is hungry for victory in Zurich. The challenging circuit, with its multiple climbs, suits her perfectly, and she’ll be looking to make a powerful statement.

This year’s World Championships are shaping up to be one of the most exciting yet. Don’t miss any of the action, interviews, and highlights. FloBikes will provide live and on-demand coverage for viewers in the US and Canada, with wall-to-wall coverage starting on September 21 and continuing through the men’s race on the 29th.

It’s going to be a week of intense racing in Zurich as the world’s best cyclists go all-out for the coveted rainbow jerseys of World Champion.