Imperious Belgian Remco Evenepoel on Sunday claimed a third consecutive time trial title at the Road Cycling World Championships in Rwanda, as Tadej Pogacar agonizingly missed out on a medal by less than two seconds.
Despite starting the 40.6km race against the clock two-and-a-half minutes after Pogacar, Evenepoel overtook the fading Tour de France winner in the closing stages to secure a dominant victory.
Australia’s Jay Vine took silver at 1 minute, 14 seconds, with Belgian Ilan van Wilder snatching third at 2 minutes, 36 seconds, just 1.6 seconds faster than Pogacar.
Photo: AFP
Evenepoel described the race conditions as the hardest he had ever faced in a time trial and admitted that he had gone close to his limit in overtaking Pogacar.
“Once I saw him [Pogacar] I wanted to go as close as possible. Maybe I went too close to the limit to catch him,” he said. “The cobbles were really painful on a time trial bike, but I’m delighted. It’s a really special win.”
Slovenian four time Tour de France winner Pogacar admitted he had given everything.
“It’s hard to swallow,” he said of being overtaken. “It’s incredible how fast he was, how good he is at this discipline. Really, what a ride from him. I feel bitter about missing a medal by one second, but tomorrow is a new day.”
For Evenepoel it was further confirmation that he is the best time trial racer of his generation.
He won the 2023 time trial in Glasgow, Scotland, and defended it in Zurich, Switzerland, a year later, having also won the road race world title in Australia in 2022.
The 25-year-old’s latest success came a year after pulling off a spectacular double at the Paris Olympic Games, winning both the road race and the time trial.
He is aiming to emulate that achievement in Sunday’s 267km road race, where Pogacar is the hot favorite.
“I was on great form today, I hope I feel like this again next Sunday,” Evenepoel said.
Only two men have ever won more than three world time trial titles, with German Tony Martin and Swiss Fabian Cancellara having both claimed four.
Evenepoel was last down the ramp in Kigali and set off quickly, opening up a 45-second lead already at the first time check.
In stark contrast, Pogacar appeared labored and despite the shock of being overtaken by Evenepoel, he congratulated the winner with grace at the finish line.
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