ANALYSIS: Where does Remco Evenepoel rank among the best ever time triallists?

At just 24 years old, Belgian sensation Remco Evenepoel continues to carve his name into the history books of cycling. His latest triumph, defending his World Time Trial Championship title in Zurich, has further cemented his status as one of the sport’s premier time trial specialists. Beating Italy’s Filippo Ganna and Edoardo Affini, who finished second and third respectively, Evenepoel's victory comes only weeks after he also claimed the Olympic Time Trial crown at Paris 2024.

Evenepoel’s win in Zurich wasn’t without its share of drama. As the reigning world champion prepared to take on the clock, a moment of panic arose in the starting blocks when his chain slipped off. For any cyclist, such a mechanical mishap just before a critical race could be enough to derail their mental focus and ultimately ruin their chances. But Evenepoel, who has matured over the last couple of seasons, managed to recover in time to start the race, though not without further complications—his power meter, a key tool for modern time triallists, failed to function during the event.

For a sport that thrives on precision, the loss of a power meter could have been catastrophic. Time triallists rely heavily on this device to manage their effort throughout the race, ensuring they maintain the optimal wattage. Evenepoel, however, turned to his instincts, riding purely by feel and sensation. It’s a testament to his natural ability that he could still dominate a world-class field without this modern advantage. Overcoming these technical issues highlights a mental and physical fortitude that few can match.

Remco Evenepoel’s journey to becoming a time trial star has been swift and sensational. While he has proven himself in other areas of cycling, including winning Grand Tours and one-day classics, the time trial is where his talent truly shines. His Olympic victory in Paris 2024, where he once again defeated Filippo Ganna, underscored his standing as the world’s finest against the clock. Ganna, known as one of the most formidable time triallists of the current generation, was outclassed in both events, demonstrating Evenepoel's supremacy.

This remarkable year raises the inevitable question: Where does Remco Evenepoel rank among the greatest time triallists of all time?

To understand where Evenepoel fits into the pantheon of greats, it's essential to look at past legends. Tony Martin, known as ‘Der Panzerwagen,’ is widely regarded as one of the finest time trial specialists of all time. The German rider claimed four World Time Trial Championships between 2011 and 2016, and like Evenepoel, Martin’s dominance wasn’t just about raw power—it was his relentless consistency over several years.

What set Martin apart was his sheer ability to grind down his opponents with his methodical riding style. He wasn’t just fast; he was a machine on two wheels. His peak performances, like those at the World Championships and in the Tour de France time trials, showcased an athlete who was unrivalled for nearly half a decade. Remco Evenepoel, with two World Championship titles at just 24 years old, might still need a few more seasons of dominance to truly match Martin’s legacy in time trials.

Fabian Cancellara is another legend of the race against the clock, and he brought a certain flair to time trials that made him stand out from his contemporaries. The Swiss rider, affectionately known as ‘Spartacus,’ was a master against the clock, with four World Time Trial Championships (2006, 2007, 2009, 2010) and two Olympic gold medal to his name. What made Cancellara special was his ability to combine raw power with finesse. He had a smoothness in his riding style that made it seem like he was flying rather than racing.

Cancellara was also versatile, succeeding not only in time trials but in the Spring Classics, where he used his time trial prowess to dominate the long solo attacks. His ability to win in different terrains and race types added to his reputation. Evenepoel shares this versatility, having shown his ability to win one-day races and stages in Grand Tours. But Cancellara’s status as one of the greatest time triallists stems from his ability to perform at the top level for nearly a decade, something Evenepoel, with time on his side, could yet emulate.

Sir Bradley Wiggins is another rider who revolutionized time trialling during his career. Known for his precision, Wiggins won the 2014 World Time Trial Championship and took gold in the time trial at the London 2012 Olympics. Wiggins’s preparation for time trials was meticulous—he left nothing to chance, whether it was optimizing his aerodynamics, tweaking his position on the bike, or calculating his efforts down to the finest detail.

Wiggins’s crowning moment came when he won the 2012 Tour de France, largely thanks to his dominance in the time trials. He redefined what was possible for a time trial specialist, showing that with enough preparation and focus, a rider could transition from track to road and from time trials to stage races.

Remco Evenepoel, with his Grand Tour and Olympic victories, already possesses the multifaceted talent to rival Wiggins. But Wiggins’s supreme commitment and his use of marginal gains to reach perfection set a high bar for any time triallist.

More recently the likes of Filippo Ganna and Tom Dumoulin are some of the most talented riders in the race against the clock. Ganna, a two-time World Champion, has set records for his raw power and speed, especially on flatter courses. His incredible engine has seen him dominate on the track and road, making him one of the most feared time triallists of the current generation.

Tom Dumoulin, the 2017 World Champion, brought a more well-rounded approach to time trials, using his climbing ability to succeed in uphill time trials and as a key weapon in his Grand Tour victories. Dumoulin's victory in the 2017 Giro d'Italia was underpinned by his time trial strength, much like how Evenepoel has leveraged his skills against the clock to win and achieve podiums in major races.

Evenepoel’s ability to beat these two in recent competitions shows that he’s already among the best in the current field. But it’s his consistency, ability to handle adversity (as seen in Zurich), and versatility across terrains that may eventually set him apart from Ganna and Dumoulin.

To say Remco Evenepoel is already one of the greatest time triallists is not an overstatement. His results speak for themselves—an Olympic gold medal and two World Championship titles in the space of just over a month. His triumphs against modern greats like Filippo Ganna and his ability to overcome mechanical setbacks showcase a mental toughness that is reminiscent of the very best in history.

While riders like Tony Martin, Fabian Cancellara, and Bradley Wiggins have left indelible marks on the sport, Evenepoel has all the tools to eventually surpass their achievements. He may not yet have the long-term consistency that defined their careers, but at just 24, time is on his side. For now, Evenepoel sits comfortably among an elite group of time trial legends, and his career is still unfolding. As his attention turns towards the road race next weekend, it is safe to say that Remco Evenepoel has already written his name in to the history books with his incredible 2024.