"A rematch on Sunday? With Jonas Vingegaard and Joao Almeida as well” - Tadej Pogacar and Remco Evenepoel go again at 2025 European Championships

The World Championships in Kigali promised a duel of the decade between Tadej Pogacar and Remco Evenepoel, but the battle never truly materialised. Pogacar stormed to his second rainbow jersey, while Evenepoel was left battling misfortune as much as rivals, forced into two costly bike changes. Belgian commentators Karl Vannieuwkerke and José De Cauwer believe the outcome leaves unfinished business ahead of Sunday’s European Championships in France.

Despite months of debate about the Rwandan parcours, Vannieuwkerke felt the organisers silenced the doubters. “Much was made of this course, but Rwanda delivered completely on expectations,” he said in the duo's post-race analysis for Sporza. De Cauwer echoed him: “This had to be a Worlds for the climbers, and that’s exactly what it became.”

Evenepoel still salvaged silver, which De Cauwer was quick to defend. “Remco finishing second is a great achievement. You must not downplay it – he should be happy after such a strong performance.” Yet, both analysts agreed that the way the race unfolded left room for frustration.

The first turning point came on Mount Kigali, where Pogacar’s attack coincided with Evenepoel’s saddle issues. “That climb was crucial,” Vannieuwkerke explained. “Pogacar went, and Remco lost contact.”

But De Cauwer dismissed speculation over what might have been: “That ‘suppose’ is too much. What mattered more came after. That second bike change should never have happened. You can’t excuse it, not even at amateur level.”

On the steep Kimihurura climb, Evenepoel was forced to wait as chaos reigned behind. “He knew he would have to stop there, because the follow car simply can’t get through when the race blows apart,” De Cauwer pointed out. “That’s where the race was lost. He dropped 42 seconds just standing still.”

Vannieuwkerke suggested frustration clouded the Belgian’s judgement. “Was there an element of disappointment in that second change that prevented him from thinking clearly?” he asked. De Cauwer agreed: “Yes. Normally Remco shines when everything goes his way, but maybe he was asking himself: how could this happen to me?”

There were other sliding doors moments. Ilan Van Wilder’s crash, for instance, might have provided a lifeline. “Could he have given Remco his bike?” wondered Vannieuwkerke. “Absolutely,” replied De Cauwer. “I’ve said all year Ilan should always be there with a spare. He was the second man in line – and we missed him. Would it have changed the outcome? Hard to say.”

Yet, the bigger picture was clear: Pogacar once again proved unflappable. “Even when he was alone, he didn’t panic,” said De Cauwer. “He could have doubted himself, but instead he managed the situation perfectly. That’s the mark of the strongest rider in the world.”

Attention now turns to the European Championships. The parcours may lack the prestige of a World title, but the line-up is even fiercer. "Perhaps there’s a rematch on Sunday?" says Vannieuwkerke with intrigue. "It might not carry the prestige of the Worlds, but the field is even stronger with Jonas Vingegaard and Joao Almeida lining up as well."

De Cauwer, though, looks further ahead. “Perhaps the real reckoning comes in Lombardy a week later,” he said. “But for now, Pogacar has shown once again he is the man to beat.”

For Evenepoel, silver in Kigali was both a consolation and a missed opportunity. Sunday in France offers the chance to put that right, but with Pogacar rampant and new challengers in play, it may be an even steeper climb.