Austria's Gall and Großschartner chase a medal in Montreal
The Austrian men's cycling team is heading to Montreal on Sunday with the dual leadership of Felix Gall and Felix Großschartner, supported by Patrick Konrad, aiming to win a medal in the World Championship road race at best. The squad, which describes itself as small but fine, has clear ambitions for the 273‑kilometre race.
A demanding course and strong favourites
The circuit in Montreal covers 273 kilometres and 3 800 metres of climbing, making it one of the toughest objectives of the season. Without the double world champion and title defender Tadej Pogacar, the Belgian Remco Evenepoel is the main favourite, after he dominated the World Championship time trial last Sunday.
Evenepoel, who has already won the time trial for the fourth consecutive time, is aiming for a double gold in the time trial and road race – a achievement that, after the 2024 Olympic Games, would represent another first. The Belgian team also includes Wout van Aert and Mathieu van der Poel, both considered possible winners.
Other contenders and Austrian prospects
Among the international medal hopefuls are France's rising star Paul Seixas, Mexico's Isaac del Toro, who won the race at the Grand‑Prix Montreal, as well as the Britons Tom Pidcock, Spain's Juan Ayuso and Enric Mas, who is a Vuelta winner. Despite Pogacar's absence, Slovenia remains in the race with Primoz Roglic, although he is injured after a crash in Spain.
Felix Gall eyes first World Cup success in Montreal
Patrick Konrad emphasizes from an Austrian perspective that a medal is at best possible for Gall: “After a podium finish in a Grand Tour you automatically become a favourite for the World Championship road race,” said the experienced rider.
Gall, who still had to recover from the demanding Spain tour after finishing second at the Giro, sees the long race as an opportunity to showcase his climbing strength. “I think, over the distance it will still be a very selective race. I hope I can play my strength in that way,” he explained.
The 28‑year‑old Gall has so far completed three World Championship starts, but has not yet achieved a top result. He does not target a specific place, but regards a top‑eight finish as a success. Großschartner, also a climbing specialist, hopes to maintain his form from the Vuelta in order to stay with the favourites until the end.
The report by Arne Mill summarises the chances of the Austrian dual leadership and highlights that a podium for the team represents a surprising yet realistic goal.