Remco Evenepoel: "I might have won on a slightly less technical course"

Remco Evenepoel started today's time-trial World Championships as one of the big favourites, and he was in a close battle for the win, but came home with a bronze medal on his tally, one that however won't be of much satisfaction to the Belgian.

After the finish Evenepoel was, like many, in shock that the win had been obtained by Tobias Foss, who wasn't highly ranked as a favourite for the title. "It was indeed a surprise. I also never heard Foss's name in my communication along the way," he told Sporza. “It was mainly about Küng and Ganna. I managed to catch up seriously in the final, but Foss must also have finished very strong."

Evenepoel details a time-trial that he felt was the best performance he could've pulled off: "Purely instinctively I finish my best time trial ever, especially on such a course, which is not ideal for me. I might have won on a slightly less technical course, but that's no excuse. I rode my best time trial and couldn't do more. The two riders who finished ahead of me were stronger".

The Belgian rode to a tight second in the first intermediate sprint, entering the direct battle for the win. His second intermediate showed both Tobias Foss and Stefan Küng take a meaningful lead over the Vuelta a Espana winner, one that he couldn't close in the final section. "...This is a fair result. The Vuelta? It's stupid to bring that up now. I just did my best today," he added.

Although the gaps were shortened towards the end, nine seconds separated him from the gold medal. “Third at nine seconds, that's very short. I am especially sorry that the weather is just not for our country. We now finish on the podium for the fourth year in a row. I will keep fighting and chasing that world title every year. The fact that Foss wins here is only good for cycling, by the way. He certainly didn't steal it," he concluded.

This was likely his best opportunity to bring in a gold medal from Wollongong, however if he keeps the form he's shown today, Evenepoel will be a strong contender for next week's road race.