"A hard one to swallow" - Tadej Pogacar reacts to Evenepoel overtake and World Championship disappointment

Remco Evenepoel produced a time trial masterclass at the 2025 World Championships in Kigali, storming to a second rainbow jersey in the discipline with a performance that left his rivals gasping. The Belgian was on another level from the first split and, in a moment destined for highlight reels, caught and passed Tadej Pogacar on the road in the closing kilometres.

For Pogacar, riding on his birthday, the day ended in frustration. The Slovenian finished agonisingly close to the podium, just a single second adrift of the bronze medal taken by third-placed Ilan van Wilder, with Jay Vine taking silver behind the runaway Evenepoel.

“It’s really bittersweet,” Pogacar admitted afterwards in conversation with Cycling Pro Net. “Maybe if I’d known I was only one second from the podium in the last kilometre, I could have found a little extra. Today I’ll probably regret that, but tomorrow is a new day. It wasn’t my best performance, but given the circumstances I can be satisfied with how I suffered.”

The Slovenian star revealed that illness in the build-up to Canada had disrupted his time trial preparations, preventing him from completing a block of work on his TT bike. “If I wanted to be 100% for the time trial, I should have skipped Canada,” he explained. “But I knew I had to go there to be at my best for the road race. So it was the right decision in that sense.”

Despite the disappointment, Pogacar was full of respect for Evenepoel’s brilliance. “It’s a hard one to swallow, for sure,” he said. “But it’s Remco – he’s just so good in this discipline. Hopefully he gave 100% today and will only be 99% ready for us next Sunday.”

The Kigali parcours, with its high-speed descents, technical sections and altitude factor, drew praise from Pogacar. “You need good legs but also a really good position. The downhills were important, the roads were fast, and the elevation made it tough. I’ve enjoyed training here the past few days and now I’m really looking forward to the road race.”

If the time trial did not deliver the birthday gift he wanted, Pogacar remains motivated for the weekend ahead. “Last year I won Worlds on my brother’s birthday, which was special. This year wasn’t to be on mine. But maybe I can give myself the best present next Sunday.”