How Tadej Pogacar and Remco Evenepoel can make cycling history at the 2024 World road race in Zurich

Few things in sport are more thrilling than a clash of titans.

Football had Cristiano Ronaldo vs. Lionel Messi. Tennis had Rafael Nadal vs. Roger Federer. Basketball had LeBron James vs. Steph Curry.

This weekend, road cycling will see Tadej Pogacar and Remco Evenepoel chase more history in Zurich, Switzerland, as they battle for the world road race title.

But how are each of these riders on the brink of immortality?

Here’s everything you need to know about one of the year’s most anticipated events in the sport.

• 2024 UCI Road World Championships in Zurich: Preview, schedule, how to watch

Tadej Pogacar eyes 'Triple crown', Remco Evenepoel chases 'Double double'

Evenepoel has had quite a year so far following a triumphal Paris 2024 Olympics, where he became the first man to win gold in both the road race and time trial at the same edition of the Games.

Now the 24-year-old Belgian is aiming for an unprecedented double-double, with his attention firmly on the upcoming road race.

Just last weekend (22 September), he rode to glory in Zurich to retain his time trial world title, earning his third major crown in as many months. It made him only the second cyclist to earn the top spot at the Worlds following Olympic glory, after Grace Brown, who achieved the same feat earlier in the same day.

After his Paris endeavours, Evenepoel is arguably the man to beat. However, his biggest competition comes from the Slovenian rider looking to make history of his own: Tadej Pogacar.

The Tokyo 2020 bronze medallist may not raced a lot since his Tour de France victory, but the course in Zurich is likely to suit him better, given its 4,400m of climbing.

The 26-year-old has been in fine form himself of late, as evidenced by his dominant win at the GP Montreal, and is seeking his first-ever rainbow jersey with a win in the road race.

Pogacar is also aiming to become one of just three riders to win the ‘Triple Crown’. After storming to victory in the Tour de France and Giro d’Italia, only the world championship remains for the Team Emirates star, who finished third last year in Glasgow.

Topping the podium would see him join esteemed company, matching the achievements of cycling greats Eddy Merckx (1974) and Stephen Roche (1987).

There is, of course, a chance that neither of these riders cross the finish line first. Viewers cannot overlook the reigning champion, Mathieu van der Poel. The Dutchman himself has won the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix this season, making him a worthy contender.

Profiles: Tadej Pogacar vs. Remco Evenepoel

Name: Tadej Pogacar

Country: Slovenia

DOB: 21 September 1998

Team: UAE Team Emirates

Major career wins

Tour de France

• General classification (2020; 2021; 2024)
• Mountains classifications (2020; 2021)

Giro d’Italia

• General classification (2024)
• Mountains classification (2024)

One-day races & Classics

• National Road Race Championships (2023)
• National Time Trial Championships (2019; 2020; 2023)
• Giro di Lombardia (2021; 2022; 2023)
• Liege-Bastogne-Liege (2021; 2024)
• Tour of Flanders (2023)
• Strade Bianche (2022; 2024)
• GP de Montreal (2022; 2024)
• Amstel Gold Race (2023)
• La Fleche Wallonne (2023)
• Tre Valli Varesine (2022)

Awards

• UCI World Ranking (2021; 2022; 2023)
• Velo d’Or (2021)

Name: Remco Evenepoel

Country: Belgium

DOB: 25 January 2000

Team: Soudal–Quick-step

Major career wins

Vuelta a Espana

• General classification (2022)
• Mountain classification (2023)

One-day races & Classics

• Olympic Games Road Race (2024)
• Olympic Games Time Trial (2024)
• World Road Race Championships (2022)
• World Time Trial Championships (2023; 2024)
• European Time Trial Championships (2019)
• National Road Race Championships (2023)
• National Time Trial Championships (2022)
• Liege–Bastogne–Liege (2022; 2023)
• Clasica de San Sebastian (2019; 2022; 2023)
• Brussels Cycling Classic (2021)
• Coppa Bernocchi (2021)
• Figueira Champions Classic (2024)

Awards

• Velo d’Or (2022)