“He is slightly heavier than in the Tour" - Did Remco Evenepoel's weight affect his World Championships performance in Montreal
Cycling
Remco Evenepoel's disappointing World Championships fallout continues as the Red Bull rider looks to put it behind him at the European Championships road race on Sunday. While possible explanations for his under-par performance in Montreal continue to arise, the Belgium camp have dismissed two theories.
Evenepoel had an off-day in Canada, falling behind the group of favourites on several occasions on the circuit, Evenepoel repeatedly surged to re-join his rivals but found himself under pressure on the main climb. He ultimately finished in 12th place as it became clear in the final laps that it wasn't to be his day.
One theory is that sickness had inflicted the Belgium camp in the lead-up to the race, while some suggested that Evenepoel's poor performance in the climbs was a result of his higher weight as opposed to his lighter Tour de France shape.
Worlds behind him, Evenepoel arrived in Slovenia as planned and is as motivated as can be to set things right after Montreal: “He really wants to go for it again and never doubted for a moment about riding this race," Evenepoel's national team coach Serge Pauwels said.
Remco Evenepoel in action at the 2026 Montreal World Championships
Evenepoel's national coach on factors affected his World Championships
"On the contrary: he came here a day later to fit in an extra training session. And to be 100 percent here. He simply wasn't last week. It's that simple."
On a course favouring explosive climbers, some speculated that Evenepoel's weight could explain his race. Pauwels confirmed that the 26-year-old is riding heavier than his general classification shape at the Tour - factoring in the time trial as a reason for the heavier shape.
“He is slightly heavier than in the Tour. But that was partly factored in for the time trial. But anyway, he is still super good, you know. That really won't be the problem."
With weight not set to be a problem, Pauwels thinks the repetitions of the Mozjanca climb will be the deciding factor: "And that five times. That is really going to take its toll. That climb won’t lie."
Evenepoel brushes off jet lag fears
After arriving in Slovenia, Evenepoel brushed off concerns about jet lag after arriving home on Tuesday.
"I am not suffering from jet lag," Evenepoel updates VTM NIEUWS about his preparation at a pre-race press conference. "Tuesday was a bit tough, but now, after a lot of sleep, I am in the European rhythm."
Read also
Speaking about the Worlds road race, was there even anything positive to take away from that race?
"Well, not very much. Lots of nice memories and a world title in the time trial. But last Sunday I simply didn't have the feeling to compete for the win. Quite a shame, because I had high expectations. I am allowed to be self-critical about that. But with this European Championship, we can quickly shift our focus."
Gavin QuinnCycling Journalist
Gavin Quinn is a cycling journalist and ultra-distance cyclist with a BA in Journalism from Dublin City University. Formerly the Press & Communications Officer for Cycling Ireland, Gavin has worked inside the national team at the World Championships and has reported for the Irish Mirror, Mirror UK, and The42.
His expertise is backed by elite-level access, having interviewed stars like Sam Bennett and Ben Healy, as well as immense personal endurance. In 2025, he completed a 12,000km solo cycle from Ireland to Vietnam, following a 4,600km tour across Europe. From the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix to the gradients of the Tourmalet, Gavin’s writing focuses on the "romance and brutality" of the sport. Having visited 50+ countries, he brings a global, cultural perspective to his coverage of the pro peloton for CyclingUpToDate.
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