Time trial World Champion will not race the U23 road race on Friday: 'Decisions made by the national team coach'
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Follow us on GoogleRyan Gal clinched the world title on Monday at the Under-23 Time Trial World Championships. However, the Dutchman doesn’t have much time to celebrate, because on Tuesday he’s headed… home. After winning the World Championship time trial, Gal confirmed that he will indeed be flying home on Tuesday.
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The Dutch team for the Under-23 Road World Championships consists of a strong squad, including Michiel Mouris, Daan Dijkman, Guus van den Eijnden, Jurgen Zomermaand, and David Haverdings.
Still, after it was all over, we couldn't resist asking Gal: "If I'm not mistaken, you're supposed to fly home tomorrow. Is that still the plan, or is there another race on the schedule this week?" Gal replied firmly. “No, as far as I’m concerned, the plan is still to fly home tomorrow.”
So how is he going to celebrate on Monday? “Well, I don’t think it’ll be anything too big, because I still have a flight to catch. And the European Championships are coming up. Of course, now that I’m with the Dutch team, there will be some celebrating. And when I get home, my friends and family will be really happy. So I’m looking forward to that.'
Read more below the photo!
Ryan Gal became the world time trial champion in Montreal.
Gal respects the national team coach's world championship selection
Is Gal disappointed that he won’t be riding the road race, with Mont Royal as the decisive climb? “Those are decisions that were made at the time by the national team coach, and ultimately, I’m okay with that. I have four opportunities, and I’m racing in three of them, so, uh, I’m just happy with that. And look, it also gives me time to prepare well for the European Championships. Because, of course, there isn’t much time between them.”
"If I come back now, I'll have six days; otherwise, you might only have two or three days to get all the equipment and such in order. Ultimately, I also think it’s a good opportunity to keep building my form leading up to the European Championships,” Gal says, seeing the positive side of it. “At the European Championships, I’ll be racing both the road race and the time trial.”
"Of course you want to race, but if that's not the case... "Look, I respect Tom’s decisions (national team coach Tom Leezer, ed.)," Gal continues. "He’s the one in charge, and he made that decision. And I’m happy with the races I get to ride, so you won’t hear me complaining."
Read more below the photo!
National Team Coach Tom Leezer.
How does Gal see himself in the future?
Nevertheless, Gal sees himself as someone who should eventually be able to handle courses like Montreal. “I think I’m more of an all-rounder. I’m actually pretty good at climbing, too. My victory in the final stage of the Giro Valle d’Aosta is proof of that, of course.”
"Hopefully, I’ll be able to develop into a general classification rider in the future. But of course, there’s still a lot that needs to happen before I can become consistent and so on. So we’ll see if that ever works out. For now, I’m an all-rounder," he says, describing his profile.
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Tom van der Salm (27) comes from the charming town of Zeilberg (Deurne) in the Netherlands and has been working as editor-in-chief & journalist at IDL Pro Cycling's parent site, In de Leiderstrui, since 2019. He travels with the peloton from the Tour de France to the AlUla Tour and from the World Championships in Rwanda or Canada to the Zilvermeercross in Mol. In his spare time he enjoys playing football, mountain biking, running, walking with his Labrador/Stabyhoun, investing, holidays, (specialty) beers, reading, cooking and watching sports & documentaries!
Contact: [email protected]
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Latest Comments
- I’m still learning the calendar: is cyclocross mainly preparation for the spring classics, or does he race it as a separate goal as well? I’d love to see him back in the mud.jeremya04-11-2026
- The article makes it sound as if Roubaix is the only classic where he has a realistic shot. He’s been close in Flanders too, and one good tactical day can change everything.jennifer1904-11-2026
- Milan-Sanremo and Roubaix is a pretty special pair of Monuments. Any clues yet on which cyclocross races he’ll target?andrewf04-11-2026
- He’s right to be realistic about Flanders with Pogačar and Evenepoel around, but you can’t count Van Aert out on those roads. If he gets the right opportunity, he has the engine and experience to take it.davidm04-11-2026
- That Roubaix win felt like such a release after all the near-misses. Brilliant to hear that joy outweighed relief for Wout.patriciaw04-11-2026
- Why would a mountain time trial be different from a normal one? Is it just that the riders have to climb the whole course?samanthak03-11-2026
- I don’t quite buy the “fear of failure” argument. Riders can race the Giro and still have confidence in July; it comes down to recovery and planning, doesn’t it?patriciaw03-11-2026
- The Giro-Tour double is a massive ask, even for the very best. Pogačar made it look almost routine in 2024, but that’s hardly a sensible benchmark for everyone else!pedalpowe2903-11-2026
- Bakelants makes a fair point: if the 2027 Tour really suits Remco, he can’t afford to dilute the build-up. That 37km flat TT will be tempting, mind.julien03-11-2026
- Mont Blanc sounds like a spectacular finish, though four climbs on the final day might be a bit much after eight hard stages. Hope the route details are clear soon.raceready703-11-2026