If Jonas Vingegaard races the world championships, former pro St\u00e9phane Rossetto doubts the Danish rider would be able to challenge for gold.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe would be destroyed by Poga\u010dar in a one-day race. The world championships or Lombardy are not a stage of the Tour de France,\u201d Rossetto, who raced for Cofidis, told the Bistrot V\u00e9lo podcast.<\/a><\/p>\n While Vingegaard matched Poga\u010dar on every climb during this year\u2019s Tour de France, the Slovenian rider made the decisive moves on Hautacam and in the individual time trial. Rossetto, doesn\u2019t believe that experience will carry over to Rwanda.<\/p>\n \u201cOne-day races are completely different. The world championships in Kigali cover more than 250 km. That\u2019s six or seven hours on the bike. Vingegaard simply isn\u2019t used to that kind of racing,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n In recent years, he has mostly focused on stage races. He has rarely lined up for one-day events. And, amazingly, he has never competed in the elite world championships. The Dane last raced the worlds as an under-23 in 2018. That year, he finished 63rd, in a race won by Mark Hirschi.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve seen what happens when riders try to make that step. I would always bet against him at the world championships,\u201d Rossetto added.<\/p>\n It is not 100 per cent as of yet if the Dane will even race the worlds\u2013but given the parcours, the chances are high according to Danish Coach Michael M\u00f8rk\u00f8v, in an interview with Feltet<\/a>.<\/p>\n He is, however, for sure doing the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a. And with one big goal: to win it.<\/p>\n Poga\u010dar has made it clear he is intent on defending his rainbow jersey. Earlier this year, he had hoped to ride the Vuelta for the first time in six years. It would be similar to 2024 in which he completed two Grand Tours, winning both the Giro d\u2019Italia and the Tour de France. Another big favourite lining up for the Spanish Grand Tour is Osgoode, Ont.\u2019s Derek Gee, btw.<\/p>\n Could this be Derek Gee\u2019s Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a?<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n After the Tour this year, he revised that plan. \u201cAfter such a demanding Tour, we decided it was best to take a break,\u201d Poga\u010dar said<\/a>. \u201cThe Vuelta is a race I love \u2014 I have great memories from 2019 \u2014 but my body needs rest. I\u2019m excited to return to Canada. Those races are beautiful, and they suit my style well. They\u2019ll help me get back into rhythm for the world championships.\u201d<\/p>\n As part of his build-up, Poga\u010dar will race the Grands Prix Cyclistes de Qu\u00e9bec and de Montr\u00e9al in September\u2014good news for us Canucks! \u201cNow, the next goals we\u2019ve set are the Italian classics, especially Il Lombardia, and also the worlds in Rwanda,\u201d Carapaz said<\/a>. \u201cIt\u2019s a very special world championship for me. I have a big opportunity, and I want to prepare for it the best way possible. That\u2019s why I came to Ecuador: to do some altitude training, regain motivation, and focus 100 per cent. Certain factors play in our favor, and we want to make the most of them.\u201d<\/p>\n Carapaz has proven he can deliver on the big day\u2014he won the Olympic road race in 2020.<\/p>\n
Another contender to watch on the hilly Rwandan roads is Richard Carapaz. He is skipping the Vuelta due to lingering effects of the illness he suffered before the Tour de France, instead training at home in Ecuador with a focus on the fall races and the world championships.<\/p>\n