"Not something I ever imagined" – Ilan van Wilder denies Tadej Pogacar a World Championship medal by single second in Kigali

Ilan van Wilder delivered the ride of his career at the 2025 World Championships time trial in Kigali, snatching bronze by a single second ahead of Tadej Pogacar. The Belgian, long regarded as a capable but not world-class TT rider, surprised even himself by making the podium behind compatriot Remco Evenepoel and Australia’s Jay Vine.

For Van Wilder, it was a result that came as much of a shock to him as to the outside world. “I think for the outside world it’s a surprise, but for myself also,” he admitted. “I’m a decent time trial rider, but I would never have placed myself on the podium of a World Championships TT. To be honest, I think today was maybe the best chance ever in my career to do something like this — the conditions, the course, the altitude. Everything was in my favour. I rode a perfect TT on feeling, not starting too fast, pacing it really well, and in the end I gave it everything. Third place is incredible.”

While many faltered in Kigali’s thin air, Van Wilder seemed to rise to the challenge. “I wouldn’t say I like altitude — I suffer as well — but maybe I suffer a bit less than the others,” he explained. “I didn’t do any altitude training beforehand. I just came here straight from home without any special preparation, because I know I can handle it well. In the end it was the right decision.”

That decision proved the difference in the final reckoning, with Pogacar left to rue the narrowest of margins. “I could see on the last climb that I was closing in, but when you lose by one second it’s hard to accept,” the Slovenian said afterwards. “I just rode as fast as I could — it was a close one.”

For Van Wilder, sharing the stage with Evenepoel and Vine made the achievement all the sweeter. “It’s not something I ever imagined happening, but it did, and I enjoyed every second of it. Being in the hot seat was already a first for me, and then sharing the podium with Vine and Remco was a really special moment.”