This is who the bookies are backing to win the Yorkshire 2019 World Championships
Reigning and former champions among the favourites, but who is the number one pick?


We are just over a week away from crowning a new world champion in Yorkshire, and the excitement is ramping up.
The men’s elite road race on Sunday, September 29 will feature former world champions looking to reclaim their rainbow bands and the reigning title holder who is riding strong after finishing second in the Vuelta a España.
But with such an open field and a brutal course, who do the bookies think will take victory in the first Worlds on British soil since 1982?
The bookmaker’s number one favourite for the Worlds may be somewhat of a surprise, as they have put Mathieu van der Poel at 28/11.
While Van der Poel has been a superstar on the road this year, he has split his attentions across multiple disciplines this summer and may struggle with the 285km distance of the race.
But the 24-year-old Dutchman has repeatedly surprised in the peloton this year, winning Amstel Gold Race in the most emphatic style and dominating the Tour of Britain, taking three stages and the overall.
Unsurprisingly, Peter Sagan has also been included among the favourites for the Yorkshire 2019 World Championships at 9/2.
The former three-time world champion has had a relatively quiet season in 2019, but was still able to win a stage of the Tour de France and take his seventh green jersey in Paris.
Next up is the star of the Tour de France, Julian Alaphilippe, who came within days of winning the yellow jersey after a string of memorable stage victories.
The Frenchman sits at 7/1, despite his uncertain form deep into the season.
Alaphilippe did not finish the Clásica San Sebastián and was anonymous in the Deutschland Tour, but put up a top 10 and top 20 in the two Canadian Grand Prix races last weekend.
Philippe Gilbert is also ranked highly at 12/1 after his two stage victories at the Vuelta a España, with Michael Matthews not far behind at 22/1 and Matteo Trentin at 25/1.
Remco Evenepoel, a junior superstar who continues to make his mark on the WorldTour, is at 25/1 in only his first season at senior level.
Reigning world champion Alejandro Valverde currently sits at 40/1, surprising considering his second place finish in the Vuelta.
The bookmakers don’t have much hope in the British squad, with Ben Swift the best ranked rider at 80/1, with Adam Yates the next Brit at 150/1 followed by Geraint Thomas at 200/1.
World Championships 2019 elite men’s road race (Winner – Oddschecker)
Mathieu van der Poel (Ned) 28/11
Peter Sagan (Svk) 5/1
Julian Alaphilippe (Fra) 7/1
Philippe Gilbert (Bel) 12/1
Michael Matthews (Aus) 22/1
Matteo Trentin (Ita) 25/1
Remco Evenepoel (Bel) 25/1
Sam Bennett (Irl) 25/1
Greg Van Avermaet (Bel) 25/1
Alexey Lutsenko (Kaz) 40/1
All odds correct at time of publication
Thank you for reading 5 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Alex Ballinger is editor of BikeBiz magazine, the leading publication for the UK cycle industry, and is the former digital news editor for CyclingWeekly.com. After gaining experience in local newsrooms, national newspapers and in digital journalism, Alex found his calling in cycling, first as a reporter, then as news editor responsible for Cycling Weekly's online news output, and now as the editor of BikeBiz. Since pro cycling first captured his heart during the 2010 Tour de France (specifically the Contador-Schleck battle) Alex covered three Tours de France, multiple editions of the Tour of Britain, and the World Championships, while both writing and video presenting for Cycling Weekly. He also specialises in fitness writing, often throwing himself into the deep end to help readers improve their own power numbers. Away from the desk, Alex can be found racing time trials, riding BMX and mountain bikes, or exploring off-road on his gravel bike. He’s also an avid gamer, and can usually be found buried in an eclectic selection of books.
-
-
EF Education-EasyPost and Israel-Premier Tech to race all-new Maryland Classic in September, one of just 4 UCI races in the US
A truly international field slated to attend America's newest UCI race
By Anne-Marije Rook • Published
-
Kristen Faulkner cools down after making a splash at the Giro Donne
The American headed straight for the sea to after winning the stage and taking the Giro Donne overall lead
By Owen Rogers • Published
-
Stirling to host time trials at the 2023 World Championships
Central Scottish city to host time trial events at first multi-event worlds
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Road World Championships 2022 route announced: Australia races to suit puncheurs
The local loop takes in a brutally steep climb every lap to whittle down the field
By Tim Bonville-Ginn • Published
-
Tadej Pogačar adds World Championships and Giro d'Italia to his wish list but is not done with the Tour de France
The Slovenian says he's still hungry to win at the Tour despite his dominance over the last year
By Tim Bonville-Ginn • Published
-
Jasper Stuyven has his say on Belgian storm after World Championships
'All of a sudden we’re so stupid' says Stuyven after his fourth place in Leuven
By Tim Bonville-Ginn • Published
-
'The girls who were still there can blame themselves': Annemiek van Vleuten critical of team-mates at World Championships
Demi Vollering was due to be a key rider for the sprint but didn't have the legs after multiple mechanicals
By Tim Bonville-Ginn • Published
-
'Remco Evenepoel was the best man in the race after Julian Alaphilippe': Lefevere baffled by Belgian tactics at World Championships
The Deceuninck - Quick-Step boss is happy to keep the rainbow jersey in the team but questions the Belgians' ride
By Tim Bonville-Ginn • Published
-
Road World Championships 2021: Strava data shows brutality of race around Flanders
Remco Evenepoel, Michael Valgren, Dylan van Baarle and more posted their rides to the site
By Tim Bonville-Ginn • Published
-
Thomas Voeckler: 'We wanted to attack earlier than everyone else at Worlds so they would think we were idiots'
French boss happily accepts fine for coaching Julian Alaphilippe when it wasn't permitted
By Richard Windsor • Published