Mathieu Van der Poel did not claim the rainbow jersey, but in Montreal he was nonetheless one of the absolute protagonists of a wild, exhausting and unpredictable race. The Dutchman finished in third place, at the end of a performance interpreted with courage and aggression. Gold went to American Brandon McNulty, author of a surprising move perfectly calibrated and left hanging until the very end.

Van der Poel raced to win, without waiting for the final climb or a sprint among the favorites. With 74 kilometers remaining, he ignited the race with an attack from far out, trying to break the equilibrium and anticipate the specialists of the steeper gradients.

«It's easy to analyze things in hindsight — explained VdP, already world champion in Glasgow in 2023 -. Even when an attack goes off you think: "Damn, there's still so much left". However, the races in recent days had shown that on this course it would have been difficult to organize a chase. Everything depended on the cooperation of the chasers».

The Dutchman had a precise plan: make the race hard before the Côte Camillien-Houde, the climb destined to decide the World Championships. «I felt good and wanted to harden the race, precisely to anticipate the attacks of the stronger riders on the climb. Otherwise I would have had a difficult time. If there's a bit of hesitation behind, the feat can succeed».

For long stretches, the gamble seemed to be working. Even when McNulty had already broken away with a solo move: at the penultimate lap he held a 14-second advantage. «Shortly after, however, the small group scattered along the road and the chase stopped. It was an incredibly exhausting race: almost everyone, at some point, fell back. I couldn't do much else but go all-in and hope the group would come back together».

Bad luck also played its part. Belgium wasn't able to express all its strength and several riders, after falling back, returned in the decisive phases. The gap to McNulty narrowed, but not enough. «I always believed it was possible to catch him — Van der Poel continues -. McNulty's attack was significant: he had already raced well on this course and was a name I was keeping an eye on. I don't think, however, that it was up to me to react».

The bronze, then, has the taste of a missed opportunity, but also of confirmation. «I would have preferred the rainbow jersey, obviously, but I raced exactly the way I wanted. I rode a race of great substance. I managed to prevent every attack from behind. That was the plan. It was really close, but unfortunately I didn't make it».

Technical director Moerenhout called him the man of the day. He raced a fantastic race. He won bronze and came really close to victory. McNulty chose the right tactical moment and raced with great strength».

According to Moerenhout, Van der Poel had tried to avoid a direct confrontation on the final climb with lighter riders like Isaac Del Toro and Paul Seixas. «If you wait for the final phases, the decisive acceleration on the climb becomes the key element. Mathieu wanted to avoid it. He had already managed to wear down Del Toro and Seixas earlier».

There remains the regret, inevitable when victory seems within reach. «You race to win, and that's how you lose gold — Moerenhout admitted —. It's a shame, because victory was possible. But he won bronze and we can be proud of that. This shows what kind of championship rider he is».

Van der Poel also appreciated the chaotic nature of the race, contested without earpieces. «Racing without earpieces is the best thing ever. It always produces the most beautiful races. You have to race on instinct, and that's exactly what I prefer».

For the thirty-one-year-old Dutchman it was the last road race of the season. Now awaiting him are commitments with sponsor Premier Tech and the return home, where something even more important than cycling awaits him: the birth of his first child.

«The cyclocross season? I haven't thought about it yet. Becoming a father for the first time is something truly special. We'll see».

The rainbow jersey slipped away. But the bronze from Montreal once again tells the story of Van der Poel's nature: a champion willing to take risks, incapable of settling and always ready to turn a race into a spectacle.