As the men’s peloton readies itself for what many are calling the hardest World Championships ever in Kigali, Geraint Thomas has weighed in on the brutal course, the star-studded start list, and — most pointedly — the big names who won’t be there.
Speaking on his Watts Occurring podcast with Luke Rowe, the Welshman didn’t hide his disappointment. “Van der Poel not going is a shame,” Thomas admitted. “If he’s absent, that’s a real loss for the race. Mads Pedersen isn’t there either, which is surprising given the season he’s had.”
The 2025 Worlds course is a monster: 267.5 km with nearly 5,500 metres of climbing, high-altitude Rwandan roads, punishing cobbles, and scorching heat. Ten laps of a relentless circuit before a decisive final loop make for a race designed to strip riders down to the core.
Rowe put it bluntly: “It’s death by a thousand cuts — a slow burn. Ten laps of short, sharp climbs, and then one bigger lap with a 5.8 km climb at 6.5%. Add in the 1.3 km at 5.7% and the kicker of 0.7 km at 8% every lap — it’s savage.”
For Thomas, that final ascent could define the rainbow jersey. “The key moment is the big climb on the last circuit. About 6–6.5%, relatively late. That’s when you want two guys in the mix.”
Not every star has signed up for that kind of suffering — and Thomas was candid about who’ll be missed, and who won’t. “Vingegaard isn’t known for one-day classics. It’s a lot to expect him to go for Worlds on a course like this. Teams are prioritising riders who’ve already had heavy seasons.”
Pogacar vs Remco: the duel everyone expects
Even with a few marquee absentees, the Kigali start list still drips with talent. And the favourites? As Rowe put it: “Pogacar and Remco are the obvious two. Pog’s had a strong year; you can never write him off. Remco will feel invincible after that TT.”
Fresh off yet another time trial masterclass, Remco Evenepoel is once again a prime contender for rainbow glory. But Tadej Pogacar — the man for all terrains — may find Kigali’s savage blend of altitude, climbing, and chaos the perfect stage to add another world title to his palmarès.
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