"I nearly fell off my chair" - Belgian pundit gobsmacked by Evenepoel's domination of Pogacar in Rwanda

The World Championships in Kigali, Rwanda, began yesterday and in the elite time-trial events we've had two dominating performances from Marlen Reusser and Remco Evenepoel. However the latter put on a rider that no-one expected mostly because of the large amount of time he won on Tadej Pogacar, overtaking the Slovenian on the road before crowning himself World Champion for a third time in a row in the discipline.

"I haven't really recovered from it yet. During that first split time, I nearly fell off my chair. I thought it was impossible. You think: surely it can't be true? He won't overtake him? That can't be right? This is Pogacar, isn't it?" José de Cauwer said in an analysis for Sporza. "The man everyone said we'd see something of beforehand."

Evenepoel, who was himself overtaken in the Tour de France's mountain time-trial by Jonas Vingegaard, saw his summer goal disintegrate in front of his eyes. It wasn't ever going to be easy to bounce back, but a stage win and this victory in Rwanda now have completed another successful comeback for the Belgian.

And with this, de Cauwer also believes the two can't be compared once again when it comes to time-trialing ability. "That slap in the face (the crash in December, ed.). Then came the Tour, where Pogacar was pretty close. You'd think he'd have made up time on Evenepoel, but now they're apart again."

Not only that, but Pogacar's fragility and Evenepoel's performance certainly opens up the door more for a surprise next Sunday in the road race. "You think so at first, yes. But here too, I say: it's Pogacar. Never say never. That's precisely why we're saying again that there's a chance it will be the other way around. That's what makes the race so beautiful."

The Belgians of course experienced an amazing day, with Ilan van Wilder also coming around to an incredibly surprising third place that confirms his potential as a strong time-trialist and climber in his own right, away from the shadow of his leader.

"I said Ilan is the happiest man on the podium, and I really think so. This could give him a big boost. There's a point in his life now where he's wondering where his career should go. Is he thinking about himself, or will it be a domestique role? He's solved that for himself with Remco's departure, and with this medal, we should now be able to see the real Van Wilder," the commentator believes.

"This gives a tremendous boost. Also for the team and the guys who are there. There's a different vibe in the hotel now, and that's a good thing. This also gives Remco a boost from here to there. And he still has goals. These could be fantastic weeks. Where will this end?"