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The world champion rainbow jersey was awarded for the first time at the 1922 track cycling world championships in Liverpool, and since 1927, its use has extended to the other cycling disciplines. We are therefore facing a historical garment, one of the most prestigious in our sport, on par with the yellow jersey of the Tour de France or the pink jersey of the Giro d'Italia. The main difference between the rainbow jersey and the pink or yellow ones, however, lies in the fact that the rainbow jersey is not tied to a single race; instead, the world champion wears it in all road stages of the following year. In short: everyone wants it.

Women's race: route and favorites

The women's race totals 154 km and 2250 meters of elevation gain. Most of the route takes place on the final circuit, which is 27 kilometers long, and which the cyclists will have to complete 4 full laps. The circuit includes the ascent of Witikon (1.4 km at 7.3%) as the main hot spot.

Demi Vollering (1200), Lotte Kopecky (1200), Elisa Longo Borghini (1200), Katarzyna Niewiadoma (1200), Elise Chabbey (1000), Marianne Vos (1000), Chloe Dygert (600), Cecile Uttrup Ludwig (1000), Liane Lippert (1000), Juliette Labous (1000), Evita Muzic (800), Puck Pieterse (600), Kata Blanka Vas (800), and Mischa Bredewold (800) are some of the main favorites to take home the rainbow jersey.

Men's race: route and favorites

The route of the men's race increases the distance to 274 km and 4200 meters of elevation gain, making it one of the toughest world championships in recent years. The last 190 kilometers will take place on the same 27-kilometer circuit as the women's race, which the men will face 7 times.

Tadej Pogačar (1200) has announced that he wants the world champion jersey and is the main favorite for the race, although he may face strong opposition from rivals such as Remco Evenepoel (1200) and Mathieu Van Der Poel (600). Anything less than a victory from one of these three cyclists should be considered a surprise. Thomas Pidcock (800), Adam Yates (1200), João Almeida (1200), Matteo Jorgenson (1000), Mattias Skjelmose (1200), Julian Alaphilippe (600), Maxim Van Gils (600), Santiago Buitrago (800), Felix Gall (1000), Marc Hirschi (600), Enric Mas (1000), Mads Pedersen (1000), Neilson Powless (600), and Giulio Ciccone (1000) are outsiders with chances. Additionally, Slovenians Primož Roglič (1200) and Matej Mohorič (600) could be the big beneficiaries of the peloton’s control over their compatriot Pogačar.