The 2026 UCI Road World Championships Men's Elite Individual Time Trial takes place entirely within Montreal, covering 39.2 kilometres of pure racing against the clock. As a flat-to-rolling ITT circuit, it rewards pure power output and aerodynamic efficiency above all else, with no significant climbing to dilute the field. Held at the pinnacle of the sport's calendar, the rainbow jersey on offer makes this one of the most prestigious single-day events of the season.
★★★★
Top Favorite
Remco Evenepoel stands alone at the top of this preview. He combines the highest time trial rating in the startlist with the most recent ITT win of any rider here — stage 16 of the Tour de France — and has a proven track record of converting that ability into world-class results when the rainbow jersey is on the line. Barring an unforeseen mechanical or illness, he is the man to beat in Montreal.
Red Bull - BORA
Red Bull - BORA
Remco Evenepoel is the clear top favorite: he heads the field in time trial ability and backed it up with a convincing win in stage 16 (ITT) of the Tour de France in the past 90 days. The World Championships ITT is a race he has dominated before, and nothing in this startlist suggests anyone is better positioned to take the rainbow jersey against the clock.
★★★
Strong Contenders
Stefan Küng and Filippo Ganna occupy the two strong contender spots. Küng's recent brace of ITT stage wins — at the Vuelta a España and Tour de Pologne — make him the most prolific time trialist in the field over the past 90 days and a legitimate threat to deny Evenepoel the title. Ganna's pure power against the clock is unquestioned, and while recent similar-race results have been underwhelming, his pedigree at this level of racing means he cannot be discounted.
INEOS Grenadiers
INEOS Grenadiers
Filippo Ganna is one of the most gifted pure time trialists in professional cycling and his raw ability in this discipline is second only to Evenepoel in this field. Although he has not yet converted that talent into a top result over the past 90 days in similar races, his track record at world-level ITTs makes him a serious contender for silver or gold.
Tudor Pro Cycling
Tudor Pro Cycling
Stefan Küng arrives as the most in-form time trialist in the field outside of Evenepoel, having won stage 18 (ITT) of the Vuelta a España and stage 7 (ITT) of the Tour de Pologne recently — two wins that make him the most prolific ITT performer in this startlist over the past 90 days. He is among the most powerful rouleurs in the peloton and a genuine podium threat.
★★
Dark Horses
Ethan Hayter, Mathias Vacek, and Brandon McNulty form a credible dark-horse trio. Hayter has assembled consistent top-3 and top-10 performances in recent ITTs and arrives in strong form. Vacek's ITT stage win at the ZLM Tour is the freshest proof that his time trial ability translates to race wins, not just ratings. McNulty is one of the most complete riders in this field and has shown his ITT credentials with a recent top-10 in a similar event.
UAE Emirates
UAE Emirates
Brandon McNulty is one of the most well-rounded riders in this field, combining excellent time trial ability with strong all-round attributes, and he registered a top-10 in a similar-profile race recently. Backed by UAE Emirates and comfortable on this type of flat-to-rolling ITT course, he is a credible threat for the top five.
Soudal Quick-Step
Soudal Quick-Step
Ethan Hayter has shown consistent form in recent time trials, banking a top-3 and multiple top-10 finishes in similar-profile races and boasting one of the strongest time trial abilities in this field. He moves to Soudal Quick-Step with growing confidence and could spring a surprise against the bigger names.
Lidl-Trek
Lidl-Trek
Mathias Vacek claimed victory in stage 1 (ITT) of the ZLM Tour recently and has backed that up with further top-5 appearances in ITT-profile races, demonstrating that his form is real and current. At just 22, he is one of the most exciting time trial prospects in the peloton and warrants a dark-horse berth.
★
Ones to Watch
Four riders earn an outsider mention. Jakob Söderqvist and Tobias Foss both posted top-3 finishes in recent ITT-profile races and have the ability to gatecrash the top ten. Isaac del Toro is a precocious talent whose all-round strength, including a recent top-5 in a similar race, makes him dangerous on a course that may reward versatility. Daan Hoole rounds out the group as a flat-course power specialist who could deliver an eye-catching result if everything goes his way.
Decathlon CMA CGM
Decathlon CMA CGM
Daan Hoole rounds out the selections as a specialist time trialist with one of the stronger ITT ratings in the field and recent experience against the clock in similar races. He is a credible outsider for a surprise top-ten on a course that suits his flat-power profile.
UAE Emirates
UAE Emirates
Isaac del Toro achieved a top-5 result in a similar-profile event recently and combines strong climbing ability with a solid time trial base — useful on a course that may feature enough undulation to favor more complete riders. At 20 years old, he is one of the most exciting talents in this field.
Lidl-Trek
Lidl-Trek
Jakob Söderqvist earned a top-3 finish in a similar-profile race recently and possesses one of the stronger time trial ratings among the second tier of this startlist. The young Lidl-Trek rider is one to monitor as a potential top-ten surprise.
INEOS Grenadiers
INEOS Grenadiers
Tobias Foss posted a top-3 finish in a recent ITT-profile race and has a reliable history against the clock at the highest level. He is a quietly dangerous outsider who could find himself in the mix if the favorites falter.
Verdict
Remco Evenepoel is the overwhelming favorite, blending the highest time trial ability in the field with a race-winning ITT performance at the Tour de France just weeks ago; Stefan Küng, fresh off two ITT stage wins at the Vuelta and the Tour de Pologne, is his most dangerous challenger, with Filippo Ganna lurking as a constant threat capable of an upset on any given day.