Time trial World Champion will not race the U23 road race on Friday: 'Decisions made by the national team coach'
CyclingTuesday, 22 September 2026 at 10:47
Follow IDL Pro Cycling on Google
Stay up to date with the best cycling news by making us a preferred source on Google.
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
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.
Read also
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]
IDL-productions
Wiggins baffled by U23 Worlds time trial, turns focus to road race support role: ‘The time trial just doesn't lie’
An American rider can win the Elite Men’s World Championship road race, but the smart money isn’t on Quinn Simmons!
McNulty fell 12 seconds short of a World TT medal but sees a road race opportunity: 'We have our work cut out'
Tadej Pogačar's 2027 schedule is shaping up and it is mega: Tour de France #6, 'Super Worlds', and unfinished business in Spain
Demi Vollering take note: Elite debutant Zoe Bäckstedt's previous World Championship results show why she's a contender
Latest Cycling News
Wiggins baffled by U23 Worlds time trial, turns focus to road race support role: ‘The time trial just doesn't lie’
Irish underdog puts World Championship time trial into perspective thanks to Finlay Tarling's death: 'Now that's real suffering'
New U23 World Champion Ryan Gal has his eye on the future: 'I have a team for 2027'
An American rider can win the Elite Men’s World Championship road race, but the smart money isn’t on Quinn Simmons!
🎥 Australian Cameron Rogers has a temper tantrum at the World Championships: 'Going to stick with me for a while'
Popular Cycling News
UCI issues scathing ruling following 'professional misconduct' and imposes a 10-year suspension
Remco Evenepoel takes Filippo Ganna's World Championship comments with a grain of salt: 'He says that every time'
2026 World Cycling Championships Route & Schedule | After victories by Reusser and Evenepoel, we continue on Monday
The World Cycling Championships haven't even started yet, but Remco Evenepoel has already thrown his first jab
2026 World Time Trial Championships – Men’s U23 preview | Wiggins jr attempts to live up to the name
Latest Comments
- - Fair play to Gal, he paced that1km perfectly. Montreal’s rolling profile plus Mont Royal drags can punish anyone slightly off. Ben’s numbers vs speed mismatch screams CdA or equipment issue to me—helmet tilt? front wheel choice? Something was off.bikebuffj22-09-2026
- Shimano problemsVeganpotter22-09-2026
- - Grande carrera por McNulty, pero cuidado con Evenepoel y MvDP en el circuito. Team USA necesita jugar las cartas con ataques en cadena, si no, adiós medalla.pedalpowe2921-09-2026
- - Seixas sneaking bronze by 12 seconds is harsh, but fair play. France getting a medal in the TT keeps their Worlds streaks ticking. Bien joué, Paul.cyclechamp4521-09-2026
- - McNulty winning Montréal in 2025 on the same roads gives serious deja-vu vibes. If he carries that punch over the top of Camillien-Houde each lap, he can force a select group. Go USA!raceready721-09-2026
- - Quick one: is the Voie Camillien-Houde climb6 km at 8% avg? Or closer to 6% with steeper ramps? That’ll change who can go long vs. wait for a reduced sprint.velodromevirtuoso121-09-2026
- - He was 2nd in the hot seat and still fourth at the end—timing of start waves really mattered today. The last starters had perfect splits and cleaner lines through the technical sections.breakawaybikerd21-09-2026
- - Not sure about the “best US team since ’93” line. Feels a bit hypey. MvDP and Remco on this circuit are monsters. Prove it on Sunday.jeremya21-09-2026
- - Love the confidence for Team USA. With McNulty, Simmons, Vermaerke, plus Shmidt learning fast, they can animate the race on Camillien-Houde. If they stagger attacks, podium is possible.davidm21-09-2026
- - Question for folks: how big a difference does “position work” actually make between Tour and Worlds? Are we talking like 10–20 watts saved at 50 kph or more?lindae21-09-2026
Loading