Matti Breschel seems to specialise in the Worlds Road Race. He has achieved two podiums and four more top five finishes in the race, with only Alejandro Valverde and Joaquim Rodriguez arguably more consistent without winning the race.

"I'm always really motivated for this race and use a lot of energy on it. Hopefully I can make a result," Breschel told Cyclingnews as he recovered from riding reconnaissance over the Richmond course.

Having been fourth last year with no form at all going into the race, Breschel has looked better this year, taking two stages in the Tour of Denmark. Furthermore, the course appears to suit the 31 year old and this may mean he records another top performance today.

"It's fast and it's a little tricky in the end. You can get back on if you lose a few positions but not in the final but on the last lap it's going to be crucial to be at the front on the last lap. You know how it is. There could be a crash in the wet and everyone is nervous and anything can happen."

"I did really bad races in Canada but I think that the form is there. I don't think that this race is going to be as hard as Canada, for example so it's all about being smart and not wasting too much energy in the beginning."