Great Britain is set to compete for the prestigious rainbow jerseys at the 2026 Road World Championships, held in Montreal, Canada, from 20 to 27 September. The British squad features a mix of seasoned professionals and rising stars, with Tom Pidcock heading the men’s road race team and Zoe Backstedt transitioning to the elite category following her victory in last year’s Under-23 time trial.
The competition arrives as Britain looks to capitalize on a major shift in the men’s field. Defending double world champion and five-time Tour de France winner Tadej Pogacar will miss the event after sustaining multiple injuries during a crash at the Vuelta a Espana. In the men’s time trial, Ethan Hayter—who recently finished just nine hundredths of a second behind Pogacar in the opening stage of the Vuelta—will represent Britain alongside Callum Thornley, though Belgium’s Remco Evenepoel remains the clear favorite.
For the women’s team, Lauren Dickson and Pfeiffer Georgi are expected to spearhead the road race efforts, while Backstedt aims for success in the time trial. She is joined by 31-year-old Anna Morris, who has enjoyed a strong season on the domestic circuit. British Cycling performance director Stephen Park noted the depth of the squad, highlighting the balance between established world-class riders and those developing at the international level.
The time trial course for both men and women spans 39.2km and features a challenging 45-meter climb near the finish. Pidcock, who secured Olympic gold and a world title in mountain biking last month, continues his pursuit of a first road race world championship title. The report also notes that the races for the coveted rainbow jerseys take place in Montreal, Canada, from 20-27 September, live across. The report also notes that with Pinarello Q36.5’s Pidcock leading the men’s team in the road race, while Ethan Hayter races in the men’s time trial, the championships include both the road race and time trial disciplines. The report also notes that time trial focus: What are GB’s chances. The report also notes that winning in 2024 and 2025 to add to his numerous other honours, slovenian Pogacar has dominated the world road race for the past two years. The report also notes that with riders setting off at one-minute intervals, racing against the clock, the time trials come first in Montreal. The report also notes that at a time when more British riders are making their mark across Europe and on the wider international stage than ever before, this squad showcases the very best of British road racing. The report also notes that image source, Getty Images Image caption, Backstedt is in her element on a sophisticated TT bike.
British Cycling Championship Squads
- Elite WomenZoe Backstedt, Lauren Dickson, Pfeiffer Georgi, Anna Henderson, Anna Morris, Flora Perkins, Alice Towers
- Elite MenMark Donovan, Ethan Hayter, Oscar Onley, Finlay Pickering, Tom Pidcock, James Shaw, Callum Thornley, Fred Wright, Adam Yates
- U23 MenJacob Bush, Mattie Dodd, Elliot Rowe, Will Smith, Ben Wiggins
- U23 WomenCat Ferguson, Abi Miller, Awen Roberts, Imogen Wolff, Morven Yeoman
- Junior WomenAalia Clay, Peggy Knox, Gabriella McHugh, Zoe Roche, Melanie Rowe
- Junior MenLeon Atkins, Gus Dutton, Finlay Storrie, Dexter Townsend, Evander Wishart
Event Schedule (BST)
- 20 SeptemberWomen’s Time Trial (14:00-16:45 on iPlayer/Web; 14:45-16:45 on Two); Men’s Time Trial (17:30-21:00 on iPlayer/Web; 19:00-21:00 on Three)
- 26 SeptemberWomen’s Road Race (14:00-19:30 on iPlayer/Web)
- 27 SeptemberMen’s Road Race (14:00-21:00 on iPlayer/Web; 19:00-21:00 on Three)
