The World Championships land in Africa for the first time, with Rwanda’s hilly and hot course set to test the world’s best. Tadej Pogačar is the favourite, but rivals like Remco Evenepoel, Jonas Vingegaard and Australia’s Jay Vine mean the rainbow jersey is far from decided.
For Australia, the spotlight falls on 21-year-old Talia Appleton, called into the national team for her first senior Worlds. She replaces Neve Bradbury and brings fresh momentum after a string of strong performances.
In sadder news, Ceratizit Pro Cycling will shut down at the end of September. After 11 years in the peloton, the team’s closure leaves riders and staff scrambling for contracts, underscoring the fragile finances of some women’s cycling teams.
