"I don’t want that to sound arrogant" - Camp Evenepoel ready to turn Montréal time trial into a fourth world title
CyclingFriday, 18 September 2026 at 13:30
The time trial World Championships take place this Sunday afternoon in Montréal, and the leading favourite is Remco Evenepoel. The Belgian has done it three times in a row, and his team staff see no reason why a fourth consecutive title shouldn't land.
“We’re not really looking at the opposition, sorry. I don’t want that to sound arrogant, but time trialing is a discipline where you focus entirely on yourself," Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe DS Klaas Lodewyck told Het Laatste Nieuws.
Evenepoel has travelled to Canada, but not apart from his trade team staff. Over the 39-kilometer course, Evenepoel is racing in his regular time trial bike, and under the guidance of his sports director.
“You have to get from A to B as quickly as possible. You recon the course, make a pacing plan and execute it. That’s it. If somebody turns out to be better during the time trial, you don’t suddenly change that plan. If you do, you’re almost guaranteed to make mistakes.”
Remco Evenepoel is the leading favourite for the time trial world championships
Technical time trial can pose big risks
In the 39-kilometer route throughout Montréal, the riders will find open exposed sections, as well as fast urban technical roads. Whilst it appears to be a simple time trial on paper, on the road the tactics have to be carefully executed.
“The first and last six and a half to seven kilometers in the city center are quite technical. After that there are some faster sections where power and aerodynamics come into play, but those sections are never particularly long.”
Evenepoel might benefit from the final uphill drag to the line against heavier rivals such as Filippo Ganna and Stefan Küng, however he will need to already enter that section as the fastest if he is to aim for the win.
The weather might also play a role. “You can ask whether you really need a city circuit like this. If it rains heavily, it can become extremely dangerous and technical. But it is the same for everyone. You have to adapt to the course and the conditions you get.”
If the plan comes to light, then a win is likely
"He trains on the time trial bike often enough during the year, so the transition is less abrupt for him. He is not the type of rider who suddenly needs to spend an entire week on the TT bike doing hard efforts.”
Evenepoel's track record is clean in 2026; and his last defeat in an actually flat time trial was the 2025 Tour de Romandie prologue. Even against a colossus such as Filippo Ganna in peak form, his performances over the past 12 months leave a clear impression:
"Do everything perfectly and do it better than the opposition, and you win. If not, it might just as well be third or fourth place. So be it.”
Rúben SilvaEditor-in-Chief
A founding contributor to CyclingUpToDate since its launch in January 2022, Ruben Silva has played a central role in shaping the site’s editorial direction and long-term growth. Before joining the project, he built his experience through independent blogging at Echelons Hub and by producing race previews for Ciclismo Internacional, developing a strong analytical voice rooted in daily engagement with professional cycling.
Beyond editorial work, he has been closely involved in the expansion and coordination of CyclingUpToDate’s wider network, helping establish and support sister platforms across multiple languages. This includes ongoing collaboration with CiclismoAlDia (Spanish), CiclismoAtual (Portuguese), WielrennenUpToDate (Dutch), and RadsportAktuell (German), contributing to a shared editorial vision and consistent international coverage.
He also helps oversee editorial governance across the network, setting standards for accuracy and consistency and coordinating updates or corrections when needed.
Originally from the Porto metropolitan area in Portugal, he holds a bachelor’s degree in Geography. His path into cycling journalism was shaped not through formal media training, but through independent reporting, community engagement, and sustained on-the-ground involvement in the sport.
Over the course of his career, he has conducted approximately 100 interviews across road cycling and cyclocross, ranging from one-to-one conversations and online formats to press conferences and on-site pre- and post-race coverage. His interviews include leading riders, team managers, and prominent figures within cycling media: Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard, Mathieu van der Poel, Primoz Roglic, Wout van Aert, Joao Almeida and Tom Pidcock; managers like Patrick Lefevere and Joxean Matxin; and YouTube personality Bryan Kennedy (BKXC)...
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- what a great story - he overcame all of that to become what he is.mij18-09-2026
- No doubt Remco's father will e be preparing excuse if he loses the TT.Looking forward to worlds but not the constant excuses and whinging from Remco. You never get excuses or moaning from Pog when he is beaten.paultryan200218-09-2026
- Sorry Pops, that's delusional parental bias. Your boy was 3rd. Period. Woulda, coulda, shoulda doesn't make the wish & dream true prognasticating the future. Humility & respect are appreciated traits. If Remco's occasional heated actions are on display, it's maybe fair to connect some dots back to parental figure as an influence. Benefits of doubt would give hope Pops comments are taken out of context & click baited all of us.aswanson18-09-2026
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- I'd like Del Toro to go back. THAT'S some unfinished business.wrsty18-09-2026
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- It is obvious. UAE want del Toro to win so they can have the Rainbow Bands in the team. Wellens would assist Remco in denying del Toro, potentially being a satellite rider (and a long range attack is what is best for Remco). UAE don't want that, so are sending Wellens to the CRO race so he can't help Evenepoel
Rafionain-Glas17-09-2026
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