World Road Championships men's race predictions and cycling betting tips

Free cycling tips, best bets and analysis for the elite men's road race at the 2022 UCI World Road Championships.

Where to watch

Eurosport 1, from 1.15am Sunday

Best bet

Wout van Aert
3pts 7-2 bet365

Men's road race preview

If you didn't know that the 2022 world road championships were taking place in New South Wales, you would be forgiven for thinking the battle for the rainbow bands is being played out in the sport's Flemish heartlands judging by the route.

An arduous 260km test encompassing 13 climbs and over 4,000m of ascent has more than a hint of the spring Classics about it and some of the best one-day riders are in the mix to be crowned world champion.

There isn't much that superstar all-rounder Wout van Aert hasn't won in his burgeoning career, but the rainbow jersey is one omission and the Belgian is certainly a worthy favourite to triumph in Wollongong.

Van Aert has been a model of consistency this season, taking nine victories, including three at the Tour de France, and registering an incredible 26 top-five finishes.

However, for all his brilliance Van Aert has won only once in 15 attempts at a Monument - cycling's five biggest one-day races - or a world championship road race.

That's a slight concern but his average finishing position in those races since the start of the 2020 season is an unmatched 3.7. At some point his luck will turn if he continues to get himself in the finishing shake-up, and this year's course gives him the perfect opportunity to do so.

Van Aert missed last weekend's time-trial, for which he would have been one of the outstanding favourites, and that decision could pay dividends.

Long-standing rival Mathieu van der Poel was well below par at the Tour de France but he arrives in Australia following three successive wins, albeit in lower-grade races.

Reigning world champion Julian Alaphilippe would normally have a great chance of a third title in a row were it not for a season beset with injury.

Two-time Tour de France champion Tadej Pogacar isn't seen as a one-day specialist but he is a double Monument winner and outsprinted Van Aert at the recent Grand Prix de Montreal. He clearly holds decent claims but whether the climbs are long enough for him to shake off Van Aert and co remains to be seen.

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