Magnus Cort questions Denmark selection call after missing out on final World Championships

Cort was among the riders considered for the eight rider Danish team but ultimately missed the cut, with Jonas Vingegaard also absent as national coach Michael Mørkøv opted for a squad led by Mads Pedersen and Mattias Skjelmose.

The decision means Cort will not get the chance to represent Denmark at the World Championships one final time before bringing his professional career to an end after the season.

It is a particularly significant omission given that Cort spoke openly about his hopes of finishing his career at the World Championships during a recent appearance on the Domestique Hotseat podcast.

Speaking ahead of the Vuelta a España, the Uno-X Mobility rider revealed that Montréal remained firmly in his plans, although he was already aware of just how difficult it would be to make the Danish squad.

“I hope to go to the Worlds,” Cort said on the Domestique Hotseat. “We have eight spots for Denmark, but even though we have eight spots, it’s still going to be a tough selection.”

His plan at the time was straightforward. Perform strongly at the Vuelta and give national coach Michael Mørkøv as much reason as possible to include him.

“I’ll just have to cross my fingers and show that I’ve got good legs in the Vuelta, and then hopefully I will be selected for Worlds,” he said.

“That would be a very nice place to finish my career.”

Cort also acknowledged the alternative. If the call never came, he was prepared for the Vuelta to become the final major chapter of his career.

“If I’m not going there, I’ll be happy to finish at the Vuelta,” he said.

That possibility has now become reality.

While the 33-year-old accepts the depth of competition within the Danish team, one selection did catch his attention.

Honoré has been named in the squad despite not having raced since suffering a serious crash at Heistse Pijl in June. The EF Education-EasyPost rider sustained multiple broken ribs and required intensive care following the incident.

Cort stopped short of suggesting he should automatically have taken Honoré’s place, but admitted the situation had surprised him.

“If I’m being honest, Honoré hasn’t raced for a long time, so it is a little strange that he is included,” Cort told TV 2 Sport.

He added that there was no guarantee he would have been next in line regardless, but conceded that missing one final World Championships was difficult to accept.

“I’ve been there many times, and it would have been nice to finish my career with the World Championships. Now I’ll have to try to prove that leaving me out was a mistake.”

Cort was realistic about what his role in Montréal would have been. Having raced in Québec and Montréal several times, he admitted the course was likely too difficult for him to pursue his own result.

“I think it’s too hard for me,” Cort said on the Domestique Hotseat. “If I go there, that would be as a domestique and helping some of the other guys out.”

Cort nevertheless stressed how much another appearance for Denmark would mean.

“It’s always very nice to be part of the national team,” he said.

He also recognised the depth of Denmark’s options, pointing to Skjelmose as a potential leader and suggesting the course could suit some of the country’s more powerful riders.

That competition ultimately left Cort outside the eight rider squad, despite his hopes of finishing his career at the Worlds.

“I understand that I’m competing against some very good riders,” he told TV 2 Sport. “But of course I’m disappointed not to be part of the team.”

Honoré was reluctant to be drawn into a debate over Cort’s comments, instead pointing towards Mørkøv as the person responsible for the selection.

“I don’t really know what to say about that,” Honoré told TV 2 Sport. “I’m mostly focused on myself, so I think that is more something Michael [Mørkøv] should answer.”

Despite not having raced since his serious crash in June, Honoré insists he is ready for Montréal.

“I think we have a really strong team, and I feel like I’m riding well, so I’m ready.”

Mørkøv has not publicly responded to Cort’s remarks, but Danish Cycling Union elite director Morten Bennekou defended the decision and stressed that Cort’s impending retirement could not influence the selection.

“You are obviously not selected simply because it would be your final World Championships,” Bennekou told TV 2 Sport.

“We have tried to select the strongest riders available. Magnus was one of the riders under consideration, but unfortunately he was one of those who was not selected.”