Remco Evenepoel Retains Time-Trial Crown as Pogacar Turns Focus to Road Race in Rwanda

Posted : 22 September 2025

Remco Evenepoel extended his dominance in the individual time trial by securing a third consecutive world championship crown in Kigali, Rwanda, while rival Tadej Pogacar endured a rare setback ahead of this weekend’s road race.

The Belgian star, who set off last on the 40.6km course, quickly established his authority and stormed to victory. He even caught Pogacar, who had started two and a half minutes earlier, with just two kilometers left before powering to the finish. Australia’s Jay Vine claimed silver, while Belgian teammate Ilan Van Wilder edged Pogacar for bronze by just 1.6 seconds.

Evenepoel, already a two-time Olympic champion after his road race and time trial double in Paris 2024, showed no signs of slowing down. His latest win adds to his time-trial triumphs in Glasgow (2023) and Zurich (2024), along with a road race title from Wollongong in 2022. At only 25, he now sits alongside cycling greats, chasing the record of four world titles held by Tony Martin and Fabian Cancellara.

“I was in fantastic shape today, and I hope I can feel the same next Sunday,” Evenepoel said, with the 267km road race looming on the horizon.

For Pogacar, it was a day of disappointment. The four-time Tour de France winner, who had hoped to challenge for a historic time-trial and road race double, finished fourth and admitted he never found his rhythm. “When Remco caught me, I just said ‘wow’. He is the best in this discipline, and I can only try to get closer in the future,” Pogacar reflected.

The Slovenian suggested his recent illness may have cost him sharpness, but he remains optimistic ahead of the weekend’s demanding road race. The route, stretching 267.5km with more than 5,500m of climbing, is set to be one of the toughest in championship history. “It will be one of the most exhausting races of my career. Six and a half hours of suffering, but I trained well for this,” Pogacar said.

Earlier in the day, Switzerland’s Marlen Reusser finally clinched her first world title in the women’s time trial after several near misses. The qualified doctor powered through the steep climbs and cobbled Kimihurura hill to beat Dutch duo Anna van der Breggen and Demi Vollering into second and third.

As the first Road World Championships to be held in Africa continues, Evenepoel stands as the man to beat, while Pogacar will be determined to bounce back in the road race showdown.

Remco Evenepoel Retains Time-Trial Crown as Pogacar Turns Focus to Road Race in Rwanda

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