The pair have won five of the past six time trial world titles – can anyone beat them in Montreal?

The world’s leading time trial specialists are set to battle for the rainbow jersey on a 39.2-kilometre course in Montreal at the 2026 UCI Road World Championships.

Former world champions Remco Evenepoel and Filippo Ganna headline the elite men’s individual time trial start list, with the two riders having dominated the discipline in recent years.

The course features an out-and-back route through Montreal, including sections around the city’s famous Formula 1 circuit. The race begins with a short downhill section before moving onto a largely flat course, with the final challenge coming in the form of a 400-metre climb averaging 6.1% to the finish.

Remco Evenepoel

Belgium’s Remco Evenepoel arrives as the reigning world champion and one of the leading contenders for another rainbow jersey.

The three-time world time trial champion has established himself as one of the strongest specialists in the discipline, with 31 time trial victories during his professional career.

Evenepoel has also enjoyed a strong 2026 season, collecting time trial victories at the Volta Valenciana, UAE Tour and Tour de France.

The Belgian is also the reigning Olympic and European time trial champion, making him one of the central figures in Sunday’s race.

Filippo Ganna

Italy’s Filippo Ganna will again be one of Evenepoel’s main challengers.

The former world champion has won the rainbow jersey twice and remains one of the most powerful riders against the clock. Ganna’s most recent time-trial victory over Evenepoel came at the 2023 Vuelta a España, while subsequent major meetings have gone in the Belgian’s favour.

Ganna enters the World Championships in solid form after finishing seventh overall and winning the points classification at the recent Tour of Britain.

The relatively flat Montreal course could suit his powerful riding style, although the uphill finish may provide another factor in the battle for the medals.

Paul Seixas

France’s Paul Seixas is another rider attracting attention ahead of the elite men’s time trial.

At just 19 years old, Seixas is the youngest rider in the field. He won the junior world time trial title in Zurich in 2024 and has continued to make an impression since moving into the elite ranks.

In 2026, he finished fourth in time trials at the Volta ao Algarve and Tour de France and also won the 14-kilometre individual time trial at Itzulia Basque Country.

The longer and mostly flat Montreal course will provide a different challenge, but Seixas has already demonstrated his ability against the clock.

Jakob Söderqvist

Sweden’s Jakob Söderqvist will make his first appearance in an elite World Championships time trial after winning the under-23 world title.

The 23-year-old has enjoyed an impressive first professional season, recording time-trial podium finishes at the Volta ao Algarve and ZLM Tour.

He also finished second in prologues at the Tour de Romandie and Boucles de la Mayenne before claiming the Swedish national time trial championship.

Söderqvist’s victory at the Tour of Hungary has further highlighted his potential, and Montreal will provide an opportunity to test himself against the world’s best specialists.

Bruno Armirail

France also has experience in the form of Bruno Armirail, a three-time French national time trial champion.

The 32-year-old recorded his best World Championships result in the discipline last year, finishing eighth in Kigali.

Armirail has consistently produced strong time-trial performances over recent seasons, recording numerous top-10 finishes. He also finished eighth and seventh in the individual time trials at this year’s Tour de France and Vuelta a España respectively.

Stefan Küng

Switzerland’s Stefan Küng is another experienced contender with an impressive World Championships record.

Küng has achieved six top-10 finishes in the World Championship time trial, including a bronze medal at Imola in 2020 and a silver medal at Wollongong in 2022, where he finished just two seconds behind the winner.

The Swiss rider has remained competitive in 2026, winning individual time trials at the Tour de Pologne and Vuelta a España.

Küng has raced relatively few days this season after suffering a femur fracture at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, potentially leaving him with fresh legs for the Montreal time trial.

Isaac del Toro

Mexico’s Isaac del Toro is another rider capable of challenging for a high finish.

Del Toro finished seventh in last year’s World Championships road race and also placed fifth in the individual time trial in Rwanda.

His performances have generally been particularly strong on more demanding time-trial courses, while the predominantly flat Montreal route could favour some of the heavier specialists.

Nevertheless, with several leading time trial riders absent from the event, Del Toro will have an opportunity to compete for a place among the leading finishers.

A Competitive Battle for the Medals

While Evenepoel and Ganna headline the field, the battle behind the leading pair could feature several riders capable of challenging for the remaining podium places.

The 39.2km Montreal course, with its predominantly flat profile and demanding uphill finish, should provide a test of both sustained power and finishing strength.

With the rainbow jersey at stake, the elite men’s individual time trial promises a high-quality contest between established champions, experienced specialists and some of the sport’s emerging talents.