Remco Evenepoel impressively demonstrated his exceptional status in the time trial at the 2025 World Championships in Rwanda. The Belgian cycling star secured his third world title in a row with a dominant performance on the challenging course in Kigali. With a lead of 1:14 minutes over Australia's Jay Vine and 2:37 minutes over Slovenia's Tadej Pogačar, Evenepoel demonstrated his superiority in this discipline. Particularly impressive: although Pogačar had started 2:30 minutes ahead of him, Evenepoel caught up with the Slovenian superstar during the race. After this renewed triumph, the Belgian is already looking ahead to new challenges - including possibly the prestigious world hour record, which is currently held by the Italian Filippo Ganna with a distance of 56.792 kilometres is held. This was set in October 2022 at the Velodrome Suisse in Grenchen. The last attempt to break this record was made by British rider Charlie Tanfield in August of this year, but was unsuccessful.
Evenepoel's father confirms record ambitions
Patrick Evenepoel, father of the three-time time trial world champion, told us after his son's triumph in Africa Sudinfo on possible future goals. "We haven't talked about it directly yet, but I think he might be interested one day. It's exactly the kind of challenge he should enjoy," explained Patrick Evenepoel. He also emphasised his son's specific qualities for this particular discipline: "He knows it's another discipline, but he has the specific qualities to be successful in it. It's a goal that will come in due course, after the other big goals of his career." The Belgian superstar's father sees the world hour record as "another peak to climb" after Remco is already aiming for a fourth world time trial title at the upcoming world championships in Canada.
Merckx challenges Evenepoel and Pogačar to record attempt
The idea of a world hour record attempt for Evenepoel was given added impetus by Eddy Merckx, the greatest cyclist of all time and former world hour record holder. The Belgian cycling legend, who recently celebrated his 80th birthday, told Le Soir that both Evenepoel and Pogačar should attempt the record before the end of their careers. "My career wouldn't have been complete without the record," Merckx explained. "The Slovenian is the best, the most versatile rider out there. But Remco has incredible aerodynamics. It would be wonderful if they took up this challenge." Evenepoel himself confirmed in an interview with L'Equipe his intention to attack the record: "Yes, I will tackle it, but it will take a few more years. I think there is a chance of beating it." Should Evenepoel attempt the record and beat Ganna's distance, he would join a legendary line of record holders that includes legends such as Merckx, Miguel Indurain, Bradley Wiggins and Chris Boardman.
Leon Weidner
Working student
