"Remco went back over those sections again" - Evenepoel finds World Championships time trial course more technical than he thought
CyclingSunday, 20 September 2026 at 10:37
The 2026 Montreal World Championships time trial course has surprised a number of teams and riders after they were given access to the route for a recon ride on Saturday evening - including favourite Remco Evenepoel.
A 39.2 kilometre circuit features a technical opening and closing segment but the Belgium camp have indicated that it was found to be more difficult than expected, while potholles and rough asphalt are also going to be a challenge for the three-time world champion.
With 220 metres of climbing on the route, riders will wind through Montreal and onto the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve and then return to the city for an uphill finish. Although the middle section is designed to help riders build a high speed, the technical sections of the course could pose challenges.
And as the dust settled on Evenepoel's recon, Belgium national coach Serge Pauwels admitted that the 26-year-old returned to the technical sections to go over those sections once more.
Remco Evenepoel
Evenepoel finds course more technical than expected
“He found it more technical than expected,” Pauwels told Het Nieuwsblad. “Especially the first and the last six kilometres. Between his two laps, Remco went back over those sections again.”
Rain is a worry for the Belgian camp, who also bring Alec Segaert and Rune Herregodts to the event. They also noted that some potholes previously noted in an April recon had not been fully filled - but rather patched up.
“In that twisting opening section, you are limited in the power you can put down, especially if it rains,” Pauwels said.
“You will have to brake a lot and the corners will really become moments of recovery.”
Evenepoel disappointed at recon window
Speaking before the recon of the course, Evenepoel expressed his disappointment at gaining just a two-hour window of closed roads tpo practice before the big day.
“It’s annoying that we only get two hours, especially with such a big 40 kilometre loop,” Evenepoel shared in words with Sporza.
“It will be a bit of a puzzle. Maybe we can cut a corner somewhere so we can see one part of the course a little more. Luckily it is the same for everyone. That is the advantage.”
Evenepoel admits that he would've liked to have seen a longer time trial: "Because it is so flat, they perhaps could have made it a little longer, it is still a long effort, especially because of the long straight roads. There will constantly be pressure on the pedals.”
Gavin QuinnCycling Journalist
Gavin Quinn is a cycling journalist and ultra-distance cyclist with a BA in Journalism from Dublin City University. Formerly the Press & Communications Officer for Cycling Ireland, Gavin has worked inside the national team at the World Championships and has reported for the Irish Mirror, Mirror UK, and The42.
His expertise is backed by elite-level access, having interviewed stars like Sam Bennett and Ben Healy, as well as immense personal endurance. In 2025, he completed a 12,000km solo cycle from Ireland to Vietnam, following a 4,600km tour across Europe. From the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix to the gradients of the Tourmalet, Gavin’s writing focuses on the "romance and brutality" of the sport. Having visited 50+ countries, he brings a global, cultural perspective to his coverage of the pro peloton for CyclingUpToDate.
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Rafionain-Glas19-09-2026 - 0:02.5 is 2.5 seconds, not 0.02Rafionain-Glas19-09-2026
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