Tadej Pogačar is preparing to fly to Rwanda for the World Championships, invigorated by his performance at the Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal, despite missing nearly a week of crucial training in early September.

The Slovenian champion will take part in both Sunday's time trial, where his main opponent will be Remco Evenepoel, and the road race on September 28.

Pogačar, who won last year's road race in Zurich with a stunning solo breakaway, will try to repeat the feat. Slovenian coach Uroš Murn remains cautiously optimistic:

"Our primary goal is to repeat last year's success. Anything extra will be a bonus; we mustn't be too greedy."

The challenge promises to be particularly difficult this year, with a 267.5 km route and 5,400 meters of elevation gain. Among the main rivals are Tom Pidcock, Giulio Ciccone, Juan Ayuso, and Julian Alaphilippe, fresh from his victory in Quebec. Not to mention the internal competition from UAE teammates Jay Vine and Isaac del Toro.

Pogačar had not raced since the Tour de France and used the Canadian races to test his fitness:

"Before coming to Canada, I was a little worried because I was sick for a week and couldn't train as planned. But after Quebec, I regained my rhythm and confidence. I'm happy to have come here."

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