When the course for the UCI Road World Championships in Wollongong was announced, the immediate question was, "Can sprinters make it through this course?" given the elevation gain, although there are no long climbs. But for Tadej Pogachar, the answer was a different question. I think so," he said. Who do you think is a sprinter?"

"If you're talking about Wout Van Aert or Van der Pol, they can't fall off just on this course. It's almost impossible, but you can tire them out. But after 267 kilometers, they're going to be tired. It's not a lunch ride, but it's a really tough day for everyone."

Pogachar rode directly from Canada to the World Championships, competing in two World Tour races, the Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal and the Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec, in preparation for the World Road Race Championships. In Montreal, which is similar to the Wollongong course, Pogachar seemed to experiment with a "tire your opponent" strategy.

Pogachar, a two-time Tour de France winner, was joined by Van Aert, Adam Yates, Andrea Bagioli, and David Gaudou at the finish of the 221km race with 4,124km of climbing. David Gaudou then forced the selection.

The Belgian is usually a formidable rider, even if he wins the dash to the finish, but on this day Pogachar had the measure. He powered through the sprint and Van Aat was no match for him. The Slovenian flew off to Australia with confidence for what lay ahead.

Wollongong may not have long climbs and Pogachar may not be surrounded by the strongest teams, but the Grand Tour rider proved his versatility and ability to win one-day races, taking his fourth one-day race victory in Montreal. His other wins came in Strade Bianche, Liège-Bastogne-Liège, and Lombardia.

"I'm really motivated. I can't wait. After completing the time trial and running in Wollongong, Pogachar told reporters, "Paracourt is interesting."

The men's elite race on Sunday, September 25, will start in the hamlet of Helensburgh, south of Sydney, and descend along the coast to Wollongong, where they will complete a lap of the Mount Keira Circuit, named after the 8.7 km climb, which has an average gradient of 5%. Named for the average gradient of 5% and the 8.7 km-long climb,

the 1.1 km average gradient is 7.7% with a maximum gradient of 14%.

Competitors tackle the circuit 12 times before finally crossing the finish line along the coast.

Slovenia has Pogachar, but no Primoš Roglic or Matej Mohoric.

Attack may be Pogachar's best defense.

"I think that team will try to play safer and calmer, so we have to do something.

"So we want to see how the riders on the team feel and decide together how we want to play on Sunday, we only have six guys, but with six guys we can do a lot, so we're going to have to do something.