{
  "id": 9609616,
  "title": "'It's wild, I don't think you'd write a better movie script' – Michael Woods completes the circle with 'crazy' Worlds comeback",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/24/its-wild-i-dont-think-youd-write-a-better-movie-script-michael-woods",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-24T10:53:32.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Cycling Weekly",
    "slug": "cycling-weekly",
    "url": "https://www.cyclingweekly.com/racing/michael-woods-completes-the-circle-with-crazy-worlds-comeback"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Michael Woods has completed a remarkable comeback to top-level road competition at the age of 39, preparing to compete in the Canadian city of Montréal for the men's elite road race on Sunday. The 39-year-old, who will turn 40 in three weeks, had been sidelined by a hernia surgery that left him unable to race full-time. Woods took a low-key approach, testing his fitness in ultra-racing events like Unbound and Leadville, before training intensively over a six-week block, including altitude work at Leadville. He has maintained ties with his former team, Israel-Premier Tech, and trained with riders including Jake Stewart, George Bennett and Corbin Strong. Woods expressed nervousness before the Québec-Montréal races, but performed well, finishing 18th in Montréal. The Canadian fans have warmly welcomed his return, and Woods will be honored with a mural on a 10-story building owned by his former team boss Sylvan Adams, who previously enabled Woods to turn professional. Woods anticipates a top-20 finish in the race, and believes Mathieu van der Poel might be the overall favorite, despite the absence of Tadej Pogačar.",
  "summary": "The Canadian retired and became an ultra-rider last year but will ride in Montréal on Sunday",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}