Remco Evenepoel vs the World: Who will win the race against the clock in Zurich?

Remco Evenepoel is no stranger to the spotlight, and as he approaches the World Championship Time Trial in Zurich, the Belgian prodigy faces another challenge to his claim of the world’s best time trialist. Already established as the defending World Time Trial Champion after his triumph in Glasgow last year, Evenepoel enters the event with immense expectations on his shoulders. At just 24 years old, he has had a season most cyclists dream of, and yet, the competition is fierce, with challengers eager to seize the crown.

Let’s take a look at Evenepoel’s season, and who his rivals will be.

A Stellar Year for Evenepoel

Evenepoel’s 2024 season has been nothing short of spectacular. The reigning world champion added Olympic gold medals in both the time trial and the road race in Paris — an historic feat, as he became the first male cyclist to achieve this double victory in a single Olympic Games. His time trial win at the Tour de France further solidified his status as one of the best in the discipline, overcoming the challenges that came with his early-season crash at the Itzulia Basque Country in April.

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That crash, which initially threatened to derail his season, proved to be only a minor hiccup as Evenepoel bounced back, dazzling fans throughout the summer. Whether it was his commanding victories on flat stages or his heroic efforts in the high mountains, Evenepoel was been at the heart of almost every major cycling narrative this summer. His form has been supremely impressive.

However, not everything has gone smoothly in the run-up to the World Championships. Evenepoel appeared to lack his usual sharpness at the Tour of Britain. This dip in form has raised questions: Could it be fatigue from a long season? Illness? Sunday’s race in Zurich will provide the answers.

Remco Evenepoel winning the 2024 Olympic Games time-trial. @Sirotti

The Route

The 2024 World Time Trial Championship route will challenge even the best riders. Covering 46.1 kilometres, the course stretches from Zurich to Monchaltorf before looping back to the city. It’s not the flat, pancake-like course that often characterizes time trial events—there’s a significant elevation gain of just over 400 meters. While not mountainous, this rolling terrain favours those with a combination of power and endurance, traits Evenepoel has in abundance. However, it also leaves the door open for surprises.

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With the course demanding high power output and aerodynamic efficiency, this time trial will test a rider’s ability to maintain consistent effort while dealing with the subtle but cumulative impact of the undulating terrain. Evenepoel is expected to excel, but the unpredictability of the distance and climbing means that the race is far from a done deal.

The Rivals to Watch

While Evenepoel is the favourite, he won’t be unchallenged. The World Championship Time Trial has attracted an elite field, and several top riders are poised to dethrone him.

Filippo Ganna The Italian powerhouse Filippo Ganna is perhaps Evenepoel’s greatest rival. A two-time world time trial champion (2020 and 2021), Ganna has endured an inconsistent season. His defeat to Evenepoel in the Olympic time trial in Paris was a blow, but the Italian bounced back in style at the Giro d’Italia in May, where he secured a stage win by beating none other than Tadej Pogacar. Ganna’s versatility is evident—he also picked up a bronze medal in the team pursuit at the Olympics, demonstrating his continued prowess on the track. With his mix of experience and raw power, Ganna will be a formidable contender in Zurich, looking to reclaim his time trial crown.

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Josh Tarling At just 20 years old, Josh Tarling is the youngest of Evenepoel’s rivals, but the Welshman is a rising star in the discipline. Tarling’s 2024 season has been marked by both brilliance and heartbreak. At the Paris Olympics, he suffered an agonizing puncture that cost him a chance at a medal in the time trial, a crushing moment in what was otherwise a superb race. However, Tarling's resilience is evident. He was Evenepoel’s closest challenger in the time trial at the Critérium du Dauphiné in June, and his victory over the Belgian at the 2023 Chrono des Nations suggests he knows how to beat the world champion on the right day. With youth on his side, Tarling could well be one of the big surprises in Zurich.

Primoz Roglic Slovenian veteran Primoz Roglic is in superb form after winning his fourth Vuelta a España title earlier this month. While Roglic is more known for his prowess in stage races, particularly in the mountains, he remains a dangerous time trialist. With Slovenia eyeing success in both the time trial and the road race at the World Championships, Roglic’s experience and form could see him climb onto the podium if things fall into place. Tadej Pogacar will only race the road race in Zurich, and so Slovenia’s hopes rest on Roglic, the 2021 Olympic time trial champion. His ability to manage effort over longer distances could play into his hands, especially on a course with rolling hills.

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Conclusion: Evenepoel vs the World

Evenepoel may be the defending champion and Olympic gold medallist, but the World Championship Time Trial in Zurich will be anything but straightforward. The course, the competition, and the pressure of defending his title all combine to create an atmosphere of unpredictability. While Evenepoel has proven time and time again that he is capable of rising to the occasion, his rivals are ready to pounce should he falter.

Ganna, Tarling, Roglic, and a host of other riders will push him to the limit. In the end, the race will come down to who can best manage the unique demands of this course—combining power, aerodynamics, and the ability to climb.

The world will be watching on Sunday as Remco Evenepoel faces yet another challenge in 2024. Who will win the rainbow jersey in Zurich?