"It's totally different from Kigali": Expert believes Evenepoel can triumph over Pogacar and Vingegaard in Ardeche

The 2025 European Championships started for Remco Evenepoel in the same way as the recent World Championships in Kigali: with a convincing triumph in the time trial. In Rwanda, the Belgian overtook Tadej Pogacar to take the world champion's jersey. In France, he did the same by overtaking his 1-minute man Stefan Kung. However in road race he run into a wall named Pogacar, therefore the question is clear: Can Evenepoel turn the tides and double down this Sunday?

Remco Evenepoel finished the World Championship with a silver medal in the road race, won by phenomenal Tadej Pogacar. The Belgian was angry about the circumstances that brought him to the podium result. The 25-year-old had to change bikes multiple times in decisive moments and ultimately lost too much ground to the Slovenian who attacked more than 100 kilometers from the finish line.

At the European Championships he will again be aiming for the gold medal, and nothing else, despite the Slovenian's presence. And this year's Vuelta champion Jonas Vingegaard will also be there in Ardeche to add an extra layer of difficulty. Will the Belgian have learned the lesson of what happened in Kigali?

Expert analyst José De Cauwer, via Sporza, said that Evenepoel is sure to start Sunday with cleaner head than in Kigali: "It's a totally different story. If he stays on the bike and doesn't get off... I think he's learned his lesson. Not to say: a lesson," he began by pointing out about his compatriot.

"And we have to study that route well. It's more like a classic with steep climbs. It's also a shorter race and totally different from what we saw in Kigali, but I would keep Evenepoel in mind, because he's still missing that jersey. And it has to be said: he's a super champion on two wheels, especially in the time trial," he added.

After analyzing Remco Evenepoel's chances at the European Road Championships, De Cauwer also wanted to talk about his historic victory in the time trial: "He is already the ultimate championship rider. It seems very simple, but it's not. You have to take your hat off to him. He makes it look easy, but it's fantastic."

"He gains almost two seconds per kilometer. That's a lot against the best. Imagine being Filippo Ganna. He wins the world championship twice and thinks he's got it all won. And then someone comes along who is shorter and getting better and better."

With a victory in Sunday's road race, Evenepoel would close a very special circle. He would get that "infinity stone" that he is missing to complete a record that is rarely repeated, since the European road race Championships is the only one he has yet to win of the competitions at international level. And he's already been close in 2020 when he lost in a sprint to Sonny Colbrelli.