Evenepoel Dominates World Championships Time Trial, Leaving Pogačar Behind
Updated September 21, 2025 09:57AM
Remco Evenepoel emphatically silenced any doubts about his form, delivering a stunning performance at the Road World Championships on Sunday. He secured his third consecutive individual time trial gold medal, impressively overtaking Tadej Pogačar by a notable margin of two and a half minutes.
The Belgian champion completed the 40.6km course in Kigali, rwanda, finishing 1:14.8 ahead of Australia’s Jay Vine. Ilan Van Wilder (Belgium) rounded out the podium, trailing Evenepoel by 2:36.07.
Pogačar endured a challenging day on his 27th birthday, finishing over two and a half minutes behind the victor. He now faces the task of regrouping before next Sunday’s road race.
Perhaps the Slovenian star will re-evaluate his preparation strategy, considering Evenepoel’s focused approach versus his own reliance on the Canadian World Cup races.
A Performance for the Ages
!Remco Evenepoel (Belgium) racing to victory in the elite men’s time trial at the cycling road world championships on September 21, 2025 in Kigali, Rwanda. (Photo: Dario Belingheri/Getty Images)
Remco Evenepoel maintained his aerodynamic prowess throughout the time trial. (Photo: Dario Belingheri/Getty Images)
The elite men’s time trial featured a slightly extended course compared to the women’s race earlier in the day. Riders faced the challenging ascents of the Côte de Nyanza and Côte de Kimihurura, with the addition of the Côte de Peage.
Shemu Nsengiyumva of Rwanda was the first to start and briefly held the hot seat. Florian Vermeersch (Belgium) then maintained the lead for a considerable period.
However, his compatriot, Ilan Van Wilder, consistently improved upon his times at each checkpoint, ultimately setting the fastest time. Out on the course, the intensifying battle between Pogačar and Evenepoel spurred the latter to an remarkable ride.
Evenepoel was on a mission, gaining 44.6 seconds on isaac del Toro (Mexico) and a remarkable 45.48 seconds on Pogačar at the first checkpoint. He continued to extend his advantage at checkpoint two, leading Vine by 1:17.
Pogačar began to struggle, falling 1:42.76 behind,and his time losses continued to mount. By the next checkpoint, he had dropped to fourth place, almost two minutes behind Evenepoel.
Remarkably, Evenepoel caught Pogačar within the final 2km of the race. He then powered on to claim his third consecutive victory, solidifying his position as the world’s premier time trialist.
Key Takeaways for You:
* Evenepoel’s Dominance: This win confirms Evenepoel’s status as the undisputed king of the individual time trial.
* Pogačar’s Struggles: The Slovenian champion faced a difficult day, raising questions about his preparation strategy.
* Challenging Course: The Kigali course, with its multiple climbs, tested the riders’ strength and endurance.
* Belgian Strength: Belgium showcased its strength in time trialing with Evenepoel and Van Wilder securing the top two spots on the podium.
this victory marks a significant moment in Evenepoel’s career, demonstrating his resilience and unwavering commitment to excellence. You can expect him to be a formidable contender in the upcoming road race.
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