Bernard Hinault names his favourite for the Pogačar-less World Championships: 'He is the warrior who attacks'

With Tadej Pogačar out of the picture, a lot of riders have gotten a huge boost heading into the World Cycling Championships in Canada. In Montreal, we’re in for possibly the most exciting World Championships since 2023. Bernard Hinault sees opportunities for France at the World Championships, but knows there are other contenders in the mix.

Paul Seixas, in particular, will have to step up for the French team at the World Championships. Hinault expects the star rider, who will have just turned 20 by then, to be an immediate contender for the victory.

“The course certainly won’t put him at a disadvantage,” he tells Le Dauphiné. "I think we’ll get a sense of how things will play out this year in Canada, because now that the boss isn’t there, everyone wants to win, and that could inspire them for 2027.”

The (current) World Champion was eager to claim his third consecutive title, but saw that chance slip away when he crashed hard at the Vuelta a España.

With a fractured vertebra and a broken collarbone, the Slovenian is forced to watch from the sidelines as his rivals battle for the rainbow jersey. Seixas, who broke through this year, suddenly has a unique opportunity.

Hinault knows that, too. “He has to go for the jersey whenever he can—above all,” the legend laughs. “No, but this year he has an incredible opportunity now that Pogačar is out of the picture, and he’s on the same level as a few others. And even if we don’t have the French team selection yet, there will certainly be a number of very good riders and a few others who will also get a chance to prove themselves.”

But Hinault knows full well that becoming world champion won’t be easy by any means. There are now a lot of riders who see their chances increasing exponentially with the absence of the world’s best rider.

“There are at least fifteen riders who can win! Paul Seixas can do it, as can Isaac Del Toro. Lorenzo Finn can win, as can Remco Evenepoel. There are plenty of them.”

The list of contenders for the rainbow jersey has suddenly grown enormously, “But there’s one we mustn’t forget, and that’s Richard Carapaz,” says De Das. “He’s the fighter who attacks. He takes some serious hits, but he’s always there. He’s an Olympic champion, so he’s capable of riding a fantastic championship.”