According to comments made to a Belgian newspaper by Dutch national selection committee member Koos Molenhout, Mathieu van der Pol may participate in this year's World Championships road race. The Alpecin Phoenix leader has apparently been briefed on this year's course changes and relocated route in Imola, Italy, and can decide for himself whether to participate.

Imola (in the Emilia Romagna region of northern Italy, about 40 km east of Bologna) was chosen by the UCI, the governing body of cycling, earlier this month as an alternative venue to Switzerland's Aigle and Martigny.

Had the championships been held in Switzerland, it is unlikely that Van der Pol would have been selected to represent the Netherlands, and instead Tom Dumoulin (Jumbo Visma) and Bauke Mollema (Trek-Segafredo) would have led the team.

And if Dumoulin and Mollema are healthy and in good shape after the Tour de France, and according to Moellenhout, "no riders have cancelled in advance," Van der Pol's participation in the World Championships would make for an incredibly strong Dutch squad and and Moellenhout is apparently planning to make an announcement early next week.

"It's a course where Mathieu can go far," Moellenhout told Belgian news agency Belga after returning from a course inspection, according to Het Nieuwsblad on Wednesday.

"I wouldn't say the course was made for him, but it was more difficult than last year," Moellenhout said, comparing it to the Yorkshire, England, road race course where Van der Pol finished 43rd in cold and wet conditions, over 10 minutes ahead of winner Mads Pedersen of Denmark. Comparing it to the road race course, he said. I gave Mathieu my notes on this race."

"We also have to fit it into his schedule, with road, mountain bike, and cyclo-cross activities. In any case, Mathieu did not say no in advance.

Regarding the World Championship road race route around Imola, which finishes at the famous motor racing circuit, Moellenhout said it was "tough" and "really difficult. The men's race distance is 260 km and includes more than 5,000 m of climbing over nine laps of the 28.8 km circuit.

"In addition, as you leave the circuit (before the finish), there is a less steep but "stealthy" climb of about 4 km," Moellenhout explained. "After the last climb, there are still a few more to go. It's a route where the race could end up anywhere."