After World Championship triumph, Evenepoel faces the TT heavyweights: "No reason to fear them in my form"

During the press conference, the Belgian speed skater talked about his journey from Africa to Europe. “Everything is fine with me. I was mentally prepared for it, which made it easier. I approached the journey as relaxed as possible. There were few delays, only a little in Kigali. But overall, everything went smoothly.”

Nevertheless, Evenepoel himself knows that he has a hectic schedule ahead of him. “It's possible that tomorrow (Wednesday, during the time trial, ed.) I'll feel the effects of the journey, but today everything went well on the bike. It was also a night flight, so I was able to get some sleep. I think it will all turn out fine.”

What was the journey from the Central African country to France like? After the Flemish great had cycled a lap the day after the World Championship road race on Monday, he took a plane slightly further north-east, to Ethiopia. There, he transferred to a flight to France, with Marseille as his destination.

The brand-new world time trial champion knows that he has a favorable start time. "It's an advantage that I'm starting last. That gives me an extra half day of recovery. But it's not that I lost my focus after the World Championship road race. I went to bed early on Sunday evening and did everything I could to be as fresh as possible here."

On Tuesday, Evenepoel explored the 24-kilometer time trial course. “They're predicting a lot of wind. It's a short course, but the headwind will make it feel longer. The roads are beautiful. Perhaps it's a bit short for professionals, but I think it's a good course. Not too technical, except for a little bit at the end.”

In France, Ardèche, Evenepoel will not face his opponents from the World Championships: he will have to compete against fresher riders. "Ganna and Tarling are different time trialists from my competitors in Rwanda, but I have already beaten them on various courses. I don't have to be afraid of them, especially given my form."

After Wednesday's time trial, Evenepoel will also compete in the road race on Sunday. “It's an extra incentive for next Sunday, pushing myself beyond my limits for another half hour. That will always help me in the road race. If I get beaten, so be it; I already have a nicer jersey to wear. (grins) But of course, I always ride to win.”

During the press conference, Evenepoel even said that he considers the European Championships more important than the World Championships. “It's my biggest goal this fall. Maybe even a bigger goal than the World Championships.” Evenepoel already has many national and world titles to his name, but the European road title is still missing from his list.