Road World Championships 2026 elite men’s road race LIVE – Van der Poel, Onley. Simmons and Roglič in break

Chase group, a further 16 seconds, includes Evenpoel, Yates and Kung.

2026-09-27T18:01:20.429Z

Healy and Pidcock, with the USA duo of Jorgenson and McNulty, catch the Van Aert group.

Del Toro attacks with Seixas on his wheel; he flies across and makes it across.

There are groups everywhere on the circuit.

2026-09-27T17:56:41.866Z

Pidcock connects with Healy and they give chase, both working together. Does Pidcock know that Onley is in the break?

2026-09-27T17:55:35.343Z

Mathieu van der Poel (Netherlands) putting in a massive acceleration (Image credit: Getty Images)

2026-09-27T17:53:33.581Z

Big acceleration by Roglič, and he drops Van Aert and Charmig on Camilien-Houde.

The Slovenian put in a big effort to try to bridge up to the lead trio. He finally connects just as they crest the climb.

With no race radios, Evenepoel does not know that Van Aert was dropped, so it delays any more he may make.

2026-09-27T17:50:41.014Z

Three riders in the break – Van der Poel, Simmons and Onley – have 16 seconds to Van Aert, Charmig and Roglič with five laps to go.

The second chase group, quite disorganised, are at 57 seconds.

The peloton led by Michał Kwiatkowski (Poland), such as it is, is 1:10 from the lead trio.

2026-09-27T17:43:51.403Z

More reshuffling in the aggressive and dynamic race.

Van der Poel, Simmons and Onley are working well together and have 14 seconds on Van Aert, Roglič and Charmig.

Evenepoel, Seixas, Del Toro, Healy, McNulty, Ayuso, Adam Yates, Michael Matthews are in a 14-rider chase group, 27 seconds from the trio with 70km to go.

2026-09-27T17:39:19.975Z

The chase group with Seixas, Del Toro and Evenepoel also includes Ciccone, Ayuso, McNulty, Healy and Johannessen. But they are not working well together, but the gap is coming down.

More riders make it to the chase.

Van der Poel puts in a massive attack with 74km to go with the chase group getting too close. Simmons and Onley go deep to get onto the Dutch rider’s wheel.

2026-09-27T17:35:27.914Z

Del Toro comes to the front to try to try and close down this dangerous move. On his wheel are Evenepoel, Seixas, Healy and more, and his acceleration caused a split is opening up after 10 riders. Carnage on Camilien-Houde.

An isolated Seixas takes a pull.

Pidcock still has not made it to the front of the pack.

With Van Aert in the break, Evenepoel has to sit in the field, and wait for somewhere else to attack so he can follow.

Pidcock, with ha teammate is coming back in the team cars after a bike change.

2026-09-27T17:24:03.113Z

Roglič and Charmig make it across to the break with 85km to go. USA’s Quinn Simmons also joins the move.

France is going to have to chase this move down, as Paret-Peintre calls it a day for France.

2026-09-27T17:21:49.450Z

French team close the move down and Van Aert goes on the attack. Van der Poel and Onley jump on.

The peloton is under pressure, single-filed as they chase down the trio.

2026-09-27T17:19:19.730Z

Wout van Aert (Belgian) led a chase group with Primož Roglič (Slovenia) and Brandon McNulty (USA) on his wheel. And they connect with 88km to go.

Very dangerous breakaway of 15 riders.

2026-09-27T17:17:25.379Z

Ben Healy (Ireland), Oscar Onley (Great Britain(, Christian Scaroni and Giulio Pellizzari (Italy), Andreas Kron (Denmark), Alex Baudin (France) and Maxim an Gils (Belgian) came across to Charmig.

Van der Poel also bridges up with 91km to go. Santiago Buitrago (Colombia), Andreas Leknessund who was in the early break along with teammate Jorgen Nordhagen also made it into the move.

2026-09-27T17:13:24.208Z

USA takes the front of the peloton down to 79 riders as Del Toro is tail-gunning it with 7 laps to go.

Ciccone and Evenepoel are moving up in the peloton with France back at the front on Camilien-Houde. Group of six riders starting to pull away.

2026-09-27T17:07:31.205Z

Italy’s Alberto Bettiol has been trying to get something started, he’s made a few attacks, but Anthon Charmig (Denmark) is the one who gets a small gap after countering once Bettiol is caught.

Behind Nairo Quintana is dropped, waves to the camera and says goodbye in his final world championship.

We have entered the next phase of the race. The early break was caught; speed is high, whittling down the peloton, as attacks continue.

2026-09-27T16:57:57.946Z

Attacks continue at the front, shelling more riders off the back.

France’s Pavel Sivakov takes a turn at the front.

2026-09-27T16:56:46.215Z

Jordan Jegat counters when his teammate Paret-Peintre is brought back by the Netherlands on Camilien-Houde.

Bettiol comes to the front. the first time we see an Italian rider come to the fore.

Enric Mas (Spain), Ben OConnor and Michael Storer (Australia) are all distanced.

Right after crossing the finish line, Tim van Dijke (Netherlands) crashed in the feedzone and got a new bike.

2026-09-27T16:50:23.174Z

Boivin dropped out of the break and then calls it a day. But first, he takes the time to high-five the fans on the side of the road.

2026-09-27T16:48:03.795Z

The list of riders abandoning the race continues to grow – it includes Luka Mezgec, Jan Tratnik, and Matej Mohorič of Slovenia, Victor Langellotti (Monaco), Nico Denz (Germany), Mathijs Paasschens (Netherlands) and Raúl García Pierna (Spain).

2026-09-27T16:43:07.084Z

Let’s hear what Ulises Alfredo Castillo told Cyclingnews Managing Editor Laura Weislo in the mixed zone.

The Mexican rider did a lot of work in the beginning, in the Montérégie section of the course, keeping an eye on the gap for his team leader Isaac del Toro.

“It was nothing crazy, it was just rolling with the other countries. We were a little bit nervous at the beginning that something big or a lot of the big countries want to be on the breakaway. But the good thing that everybody wait for the circuit. So once we get out on the circuit, was like a hard pace, so for us, was the work done.”

“Well, Isaac [del Toro] he has a good mentality of a winner. I think he’s on his best shape, and he’s waiting for the best.”

2026-09-27T16:34:52.167Z

The gap is now under the one-minute mark, at 55 seconds, with 9 laps to go.

Still Amirail at the front, though a Mexican rider did do a couple of pulls.

Nys finally gets his bike change – his cyclo-cross skills shined as to how fast that was done.

2026-09-27T16:30:49.452Z

France’s Bruno Amirail sets a fast pace for two laps of the circuit, making the race hard for team leader Paul Seixas.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

2026-09-27T16:25:56.842Z

Cyclingnews Managing Editor Laura Weislo caught up with Belgium’s Alec Segaert in the mixed zone at the finish line, after he pulled out of the race.

“It was actually quite okay to control in the beginning. We were with a few teams to do so with the Mexicans, Dutch, and British people as well. So was quite okay, even though the break was a were 16 guys, but then once we entered the circuit, the French team took over and pushed already quite hard. Sadly for me, I didn’t have the legs today because I really wanted to survive a bit longer. But they want to make it a hard race, and we’ll see what it what it will bring.”

“I still think we have the cards to win this. Even Wout and Remco, they know how to race these races, and they will play their cards in the final. I don’t know how they will do, but I’m sure they have a plan.”

“I didn’t even take bottles because I wanted to release it as light as possible, and I only did one last sentence. No secret messages.”

2026-09-27T16:12:52.958Z

Mechanicals for Matej Mohorič and Thibau Nys.

Mohorič gets a bike change, while Nys raises his hand, calling for this team car for a wheel change.

2026-09-27T16:06:47.214Z

Mechanical for Ben Oliver of New Zealand, tire came off his front wheel. He’s by the side of the road, hand up, waiting for his team car.

2026-09-27T16:04:27.604Z

Make that 6 riders left in the break: Girmay and his teammate Mulubrhan, Leknessund, Engelhardt, Meehan and Liepins.

They have 3:36 on the peloton with Amirail still setting the pace.

2026-09-27T16:02:02.465Z

Break is also shedding riders. Finkšt, Boivin, Antonenko, Stolić, Jurado, Mayer, Vaidian, Miltiadis, Hopkins, Ansari are all off the back. Leaving 7 off the front.

The peloton was down to 133 riders after one time around the circuit. 184 riders started in Brossard.

2026-09-27T15:54:10.881Z

Gap has been reduced by over 2:40 on the 13.4km-lap as the break starts lap 2 of 12, and see 147.4km to go.

Swiss also put in a rider in the rotation, setting a hard place in the peloton.

2026-09-27T15:49:04.863Z

Peloton crossing the finish line to start lap 1 of 12 (Image credit: Getty Images)

2026-09-27T15:48:20.233Z

Puncture for birthday boy Hugh Houle, who stops by the Shimano neutral car, but doesn’t stop and takes on the descent behind the Shimano car.

2026-09-27T15:42:47.297Z

Del Toro is losing teammates, as four of his compatriots are dropped on the climb. The Mexican team lined up with six riders.

2026-09-27T15:40:00.360Z

Under Amirail’s impetus, the gap is now 5:22

The French team definitely has a plan to launch Seixas; the question is, when will the French teenager do on the attack?

More riders distanced at they climb Camilien-Houde – the same scenario of attrition that was on display in all the road races.

2026-09-27T15:37:39.773Z

Amirail leads the peloton across the finish line to start the circuit. His team with team leader Seixas, as well as Switzerland are lined up behind him.

Romania’s Văidian is falling off the pace from the break on Camilien-Houde.

2026-09-27T15:26:54.884Z

Could the weather add an extra challenge?

It is windy and cool (17 Celsius), with gray clouds moving from the east in Montréal and a 50% chance of showers in the next hour.

Cyclingnews North American editor Jackie Tyson took this photo of the finish line from 200 metres to go.

2026-09-27T15:25:30.977Z

French team comes to the front, and shave off one minute on the gap as riders are starting to be dropped off the back.

2026-09-27T15:23:34.564Z

The 16-rider break are cheered on as they head towards the start of the circuit in Montréal

(Image credit: Getty Images)

2026-09-27T15:18:36.630Z

The men are heading towards the 13.4km circuit, which features four key climbs. The first comes soon after the finish line with the Voie Camilien-Houde, a 1.67km ascent averaging 7.4% and reaching a maximum gradient of 10%.

Next is Chemin de la Polytechnique, 790 metres at 6%, including a punishing 200-metre section at 11%. The riders then face Avenue Pagnuelo, a 534-metre climb averaging 7%, topping out around the 9km mark.

The final challenge is a 600-metre drag at 4% up Avenue du Parc to the finish.

It is the same circuit that the women faced yesterday. The elite men will tackle the circuit 12 times.

(Image credit: UCI)

2026-09-27T15:12:58.193Z

Pace went up to 50 km/hr, as riders in the peloton are jostling for position, using the whole wide road to get into the bridge.

Attack on the right-hand side from Fredd Matute (Honduras) who tried to get across to the break at the beginning of the race, but never made it.

2026-09-27T15:07:54.279Z

Let’s hear what Michael Matthews had to say this morning at the start in Brossard. The Australian has won both the Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal and Québec.

“Worlds always throws a different spin on things, but no I think it’s gonna be quite a different race today than what we normally have in Montreal GP but yeah, we’re ready, we have a strong team, so let’s see what we can do.

“If you look at the teams, I mean it’s gonna be super fast. I think everyone’s expecting a really hard race but for me, I just need to try and survive as long as I can and hopefully all my stars align today.”

2026-09-27T15:03:04.446Z

Riders have made their way back to Brossard, after a long loop in Montérégie region and will head towards Montréal.

Belgian rider at the front of the peloton, as the gap is 8:07 with 181km to go.

2026-09-27T15:00:19.779Z

Let’s hear what Isaac del Toro had to say this morning at the start in Brossard. The Mexican rider won the Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal, raced on the same city circuit.

“Same kind of chaotic situation [as the women’s race], for sure. No one needs to sleep in this kind of circuit, but it’ll be hectic until the end and you will never know who will win until the line. For sure, the move will be on the climb and someone will keep trying, but everybody needs to be smart and to give his 100%.”

“I am kind of the guy who wants to have a hard day on the bike and excited and looking forward.”

2026-09-27T14:56:00.804Z

I know I said that there wouldn’t be more history but it’s of the racing kind:

Mount Royal returned to the centre stage of global cycling this week when Montréal hosted the UCI Road World Championships. It had been 52 years since Montréal made history as the first Road Worlds outside Europe and two years later notched another milestone as the first Canadian city to host summer competitions for the Olympic Games.

2026-09-27T14:50:47.315Z

The gap keeps on growing, up to 7:55 with 191km to go.

The peloton is single-file, behind a Dutch rider setting the pace.

Spain’s Enric Mas and Belgium’s Wout van Aert are each making their way back into the pack with a teammate. The flat rural roads provide a good opportunity for a nature break before they hit Montreal and it’s urban roads.

2026-09-27T14:43:00.599Z

Let’s hear what Mathieu van der Poel had to say this morning at the start in Brossard. A former road World Champion from Glasgow in 2023, the Dutch rider showed his form with a 174km solo win in Luxembourg.

“That’s what everybody is trying to do and also me but I think quite a good preparation and we will see how it goes today.”

“It’s gonna be a very hard race, if you see the races in Montreal, it’s always like this, so I think the strong riders will be in the front of the race.”

“I already know how it feels to wear [the rainbow jersey] so I would be very happy to wear it again, so we will go for it.”

2026-09-27T14:33:07.332Z

Let’s hear what Ben Healy had to say this morning at the start in Brossard. The Irishman finished seventh in Zurich 2024 and then third in Kigali last year.

“I’m here in good form, and it’s a good course that suits me, so why not?”

“That’s the thing about this race, it’s so open, you know, I think there’s obviously a couple of favourites like Remco and Matthew, but, other than that, I think there’s a lot of people that can win this.”

2026-09-27T14:29:44.837Z

Gap hits the 7-minute mark with 208km to go as the Eritrean team car heads towards the break.

2026-09-27T14:20:44.373Z

Let’s see what some of the pre-race favourites had to say in the days leading to this race – French star Paul Seixas, who claimed the bronze medal in the TT earlier this week.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

2026-09-27T14:06:29.011Z

Let’s see what some of the pre-race favourites had to say in the days leading to this race – Great Britain co-leader Tom Pidcock, who spent time in Colorado to get ready,

(Image credit: Getty Images)

2026-09-27T14:02:33.409Z

The gap is now over 5 minutes. with 231 km to go. Great Britain add a rider to the rotation with Mexico, Belgium and the Netherlands at the front of the peloton.

It is surprising to see the full Mexican team at the front, and use up their riders so early.

2026-09-27T13:54:33.803Z

Let’s see what some of the pre-race favourites had to say in the days leading to this race.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

2026-09-27T13:52:27.307Z

Fabulous early morning crowd cheering the riders on Mont St-Hilaire.

2026-09-27T13:48:16.434Z

Let’s hear what Biniam Girmay told the organisers at the start this morning.

“I already did four times this course, so it’s slightly a bit less laps [than GP Montreal] but in the end of the day, I think it’s going to be hard. So today I’m here to support my teammate. “

“I think for us is the best chance maybe we can have is to anticipate in the early move with the other two guys we have. So just make sure everything they have for the race, like positioning and to support them with nutrition and everything. So yeah, I will do best possible I can to help those two guys.”

2026-09-27T13:45:03.807Z

The 16-rider break has 3:14 on the peloton with Mexico, working for Isaac del Toro, at the front keeping an eye on things with 244km to go.

2026-09-27T13:26:59.307Z

A little history, as we gather the names of the riders in the break, and the peloton speeds by Fort Chambly.

Fort Chambly National Historic Site is the only fort in the greater Montreal area. The first wooden fort in this location was built as a defence post in the wars between the French and the Iroquois in New France in the second half of the 17th century.

The current structure was built between 1709-1711, Serving the French military until 1760, it was later used as a British Garrison.

Captured by American forces on October 20, 1775, during the American Invasion of Canada of 1775–76, it was held until the spring of 1776 when it was evacuated and burned.

After falling into disrepair, a citizen of Chambly personally repaired and restored the site in 1881. Between 1965 and 1985 extensive archaeological digs were carried out, and today a fully reconstructed version of the final phase of Fort Chambly (1718–1720) can be visited by the public. It provides beautiful views of the Richelieu River, trails, a bike path and green spaces.

2026-09-27T13:25:47.835Z

Fredd Matute (Honduras) jumps to bridge up to the break.

Meanwhile, multiple riders drop back to talk to their managers in the team cars. With no radios, it is the only way on the course right now to know who is in the break and talk strategy.

2026-09-27T13:22:10.931Z

16 riders, including Girmay, manage to get a small gap with 264km to go. They are working very hard to try and stay away as the winds are stronger than expected.

They built up a 21-second lead in two kilometres.

2026-09-27T13:18:31.898Z

Biniam Girmay (Eritrea), wearing his trade team NSN Cycling gilet, is part of the attacking riders.

2026-09-27T13:15:06.926Z

The flurry of attacks continues at the front with no one managing to escape while pre-race favourites Remco Evenepoel (Belgium) and Tom Pidcock (Great Britain) remain calm, tucked safely in the middle of the peloton.

2026-09-27T13:09:47.543Z

Immediate attacks from the front of the peloton, led by a Pogačar-less Slovenian team.

It is the same circuit that all the road races faced. The elite men will race the circuit 12 times.

The first passing across the finish line will be with 160.8km to go.

Map of the elite men road race at the 2026 UCI Road World Championships in Montreal (Image credit: UCI)

2026-09-27T12:54:18.157Z

It’s a cool morning in Brossard for the start, with cloudy skies and temperatures around 14°C. There’s a 10% chance of rain, with winds of 18 km/h across the Greater Montreal region.

2026-09-27T12:50:42.632Z

10 minutes to the start of the race, where the men will face 3802 metres of elevation gain over the 273.7km course highlighted by the closing Mount Royal circuit.

Profile of the elite men road race at the 2026 UCI Road World Championships in Montréal (Image credit: UCI)

2026-09-27T12:42:49.105Z

The last two days of racing have seen 2-up sprints and solo breaks decide the winner. Yesterday’s elite women’s race delivered a thrilling, edge-of-your-seat finale. How will today’s winner be decided?

2026-09-27T12:36:02.659Z

Yesterday, on his final day as elite men’s road race World Champion, Tadej Pogačar returned to riding outdoors, 28 days after breaking his collarbone and neck in a crash at the Vuelta a España.

Hi. Bonjour. Welcome to our live report on Cyclingnews for the elite men’s road race, the final event of the 2026 UCI World Road Championships in Montréal, Canada. What a great week of racing we’ve had so far.