Tom Pidcock and Zoe Backstedt will spearhead Great Britain's challenge at the 2026 Road World Championships, set to take place in Montreal, Canada, from September 20-27. The highly anticipated races will be broadcast live across the BBC, featuring both road race and time trial disciplines.

In the men's road race, Pidcock, representing Pinarello Q36.5, takes the lead, while Ethan Hayter will compete in the men's time trial. The women's team is expected to be led by Lauren Dickson and Pfeiffer Georgi in the road race, with Backstedt aiming for the coveted rainbow bands in the time trial.

Great Britain's men have a promising opportunity in the road race, especially with Tadej Pogacar, a double world champion and five-time Tour de France winner, sidelined for the remainder of the season due to injuries sustained in a crash at the Vuelta a Espana. Pogacar dominated the world road race in 2024 and 2025.

The time trials will kick off the championships, featuring riders starting at one-minute intervals. Backstedt, stepping up to the elite category after winning last year’s Under-23 race, will be joined by Anna Morris, a multiple domestic race winner in 2026. In the men's time trial, Hayter, who narrowly missed victory against Pogacar in a recent time trial, will race alongside Callum Thornley, with Remco Evenepoel of Belgium as the defending champion and favorite.

Stephen Park, Performance Director for British Cycling, expressed excitement about the competitive squad, highlighting the mix of experienced riders and emerging talent:

The Road World Championships are always one of the standout events in the cycling calendar, and we are excited to return with a highly competitive squad.