"What Wout did is great. What Remco did is really special" - Jose de Cauwer expecting big things from Belgian duo in Olympic road race after impressive time trial

In the individual time trial at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, Belgium doubled up on the medal haul as Remco Evenepoel secured the gold medal and Wout van Aert came home third, taking bronze. With the road race taking place next Saturday, August 3rd, Belgian cycling expert Jose de Cauwer has growing hopes of another gold medal.

"We know that both of those guys can organize a time trial. They have proven that in the past. But it was with a small heart that I started to believe in it," reflects the vastly experienced De Cauwer post-race to Sporza. "What Wout did is great. What Remco did is really special."

To back up a podium on Tour de France debut with a gold medal at the Olympics is a great credit to Evenepoel believes De Cauwer. "Especially because Remco rode the Tour until the last day. In the penultimate stage he got a slap around the ears and in the final time trial he might have thought he would do a bit better," he assesses. "Then he pushed the reset button to win here. That's very special."

In terms of individual time trials, on his palmares Evenepoel now has a Belgian national title, a European title, a World Championship, victories at each of the Grand Tours and the newly own Olympic gold. "In current cycling, Remco is the absolute top. Pogacar did not participate yesterday, but I think he would not have beaten Remco on that course," says De Cauwer. "Remco is Remco. When he starts time trials and races like San Sebastian and Liège-Bastogne-Liège, it's almost always a blast. Watch out for next Saturday. There is no one who can ride faster on the flat than Remco Evenepoel."

On Saturday, the men's road race takes place, where Evenepoel, Van Aert, Tiesj Benoot and Jasper Stuyven will lead the Belgian charge to secure another cycling gold medal this Olympic Games.