On the eve of the elite men's road race at Montreal, the Belgian national team presents itself with two declared leaders: Wout van Aert and Remco Evenepoel. The dual-captain strategy, far from being a compromise, has been described by the protagonists themselves as a rational plan in which: "Only the best will go hunting for the rainbow jersey". Van Aert is serene, measured and determined and has reiterated to journalists his availability and a now certain conviction: he is ready to compete for the world title.

The press conference had the tone of tactical diplomacy: measured glances, often synthetic answers, slight smiles to avoid revealing too much. Yet something filtered through: this Van Aert has a precise idea of how to approach the race. "My best races have always been those in which I could take the initiative personally. I don't believe my strategy will be to race on defense," he explained clearly.

The memory of Montreal 2022, where Van Aert finished second after a five-man sprint, is still vivid and instructive. "I remember it fairly well. It was the Grand Prix where I finished second in a five-man sprint, after a race in which I really pushed myself to the limit. A hundred meters from the finish line I was still convinced I would win. Until my legs gave out," he recounted, emphasizing how that experience has given him confidence for today's race: "That second place in 2022 has naturally strengthened my conviction that on Sunday here it's possible for me to achieve a great result".

The absence of Tadej Pogacar, mentioned by Van Aert during the press conference, changes the competitive landscape. "When I heard about his crash, it was the first thing I thought about. Without him, my chances, and those of everyone else, increase. With Tadej in the race, the vast majority of riders would simply have built their strategy around him. Without him, many more riders will start with the concrete objective of winning. It will be a completely different race". A pragmatic analysis: his confidence grows, but he remains aware that nothing is certain.

On the subject of "lighter" riders, who on paper could favor continuous attacks and selectivity, Van Aert is not discouraged: "Is it something new? Apart from races that end in a bunch sprint, I encounter that type of attacking riders everywhere. I still maintain my view: this is a different World Championship compared to Kigali last year or Sallanches next year. Those are races truly suited to climbers. This one isn't. You can also see it from the start list". The success of the Under 23, with Ashlin Barry's victory, was for him confirmation that even a heavier rider can win this race.

On the balance within the Belgian team, Van Aert is crystal clear: there is no sterile rivalry with Evenepoel, but a common will to arrive at the decisive moment with clear ideas. "I believe that this should be precisely the strength of the two-captain system: that at a certain point you can and must make a choice. It's no secret that we both want to win, but in a race the moment can always come when one rider's chances disappear and he can still play an important role for the other. We've already done it in the past at championships".

When asked if he was ready to sacrifice his chances for Evenepoel, Van Aert responded with the firmness of someone who knows the trade: "The choice, at the highest levels, must be made on the road, guided by clarity and opportunity. The Belgian strategy, in short, is not a diktat but a programmed flexibility: we start with two captains and we'll see who will have concrete chances in the finale".

There is also that different feeling after winning the Roubaix in spring: less pressure on the season, but not a renunciation of ambition. "It's a fact that, after the Roubaix, I race with a completely different feeling. I don't need to save the season here. But this doesn't change my ambition," he said. Van Aert confirms he arrives at the start with the same competitive spirit that led him to seek victory in the Monument Classics: determined, enterprising, ready to take the initiative.

Just hours before the start, the impression remains that Belgium has in hand a pair of complementary captains and above all that Van Aert arrives in Montreal with a concrete plan and the will, if circumstances permit, to try to wear the rainbow jersey.