It will be a more open Worlds, due to the absence of Pogacar, who dominated the last two editions: that someone is more favored than others is in the nature of racing. It will be a demanding Worlds that Montreal will experience as the second sporting event ever after the Olympics: of the almost 274 kilometers of racing, most of it will be contested on a 13-kilometer city circuit to be repeated twelve times, with three challenging climbs and an uphill finish. It's the fifth American Worlds, the third in Canada: the first was in 1974, also in Montreal (Merckx's victory, his third rainbow jersey), the second in 2003 in Hamilton (Astarloa's success). Besides Pogacar, there will be no Vingegaard, who ended his season early after his crash at the Tour. For Italy's first race under coach Amadio, the difficult task of breaking a couple of droughts: we haven't won the rainbow jersey in 18 years (Ballan last in 2008 in Varese) and haven't been on the podium in seven (Trentin in 2019 in Harrogate, Great Britain). Here are the ten faces that are candidates to inherit Pogacar's legacy.

Remco Evenepoel. He wins because he arrives in the best condition, because he has the opportunity to do a time trial-road double at the Worlds just like at the Games, because his nemesis Pogacar isn't there. He doesn't win because they will do everything to rattle him, knowing that's his real weakness.

Wout Van Aert. He wins because he arrives from a Vuelta in great form, because this year he's managed to overcome his proverbial bad luck, because on a course like this he has more options to succeed. He doesn't win because the toughest competition he has right in his own backyard.

Isaac Del Toro. He wins because he arrives from a season as a top performer, because on the Canadian course he's already laid down the law a couple of weeks ago, because when he's free to race his own race he's good at seeing it through to the end. He doesn't win because racing without a team on such a long course weighs heavily.

Paul Seixas. He wins because the chosen ones don't look at their ID card, because in Canada he's shown up in top form, because he's already proven he can handle the demands of the toughest classics. He doesn't win because at twenty years old, a sin of inexperience is always committed.

Mathieu Van der Poel. He wins because less suitable courses intrigue him, because after his mountain bike stint he's gotten back to winning on the road, because he doesn't need a great national team by his side. He doesn't win because even phenomenal riders like him occasionally have an off day.

Tom Pidcock. He wins because he presents himself ready and determined like never before, because after his mountain bike rainbow jersey he's immediately been a protagonist on the road, because Adam Yates and Onley guarantee him support and strategy. He doesn't win because compared to the big favorites he's still missing something.

Giulio Ciccone. He wins because he's approached the Worlds with the right pace, because in the toughest classics he's been on the podium, because in the good national team supporting him there's a good alternative like Giulio Pellizzari. He doesn't win because in a race like this, even being perfect sometimes isn't enough.

Quinn Simmons. He wins because in this race he can work for himself and not for others, because this is the kind of course that excels him, because in the warm-up races he's always been in the front row. He doesn't win because to succeed he needs to drop everyone and at the Worlds it's not that simple.

Juan Ayuso. He wins because he has his national team's confidence, because a course like this also winks at him, because he can count on the important support of Mas. He doesn't win because his best results have come in stage races and he lacks experience in classics.

Ben Healy. He wins because courses like the Canadian one stimulate him, because after the Tour he's had time to recharge his batteries, because a year ago he was on the podium and the year before that he finished seventh. He doesn't win because in such a long race you need to know how to manage your energy best.