Remco Evenepoel is 'the absolute favourite' for Yorkshire Worlds time trial, says Victor Campenaerts
The Hour Record holder predicts the 19-year-old Belgian will take home the rainbow bands

The Hour Record holder Victor Campenaerts has played down his own chances of becoming the new time trial world champion in Yorkshire, saying his 19-year-old Belgian compatriot Remco Evenepoel is the "absolute favourite".
Instead, Campenaerts says he wants to at least bag himself a bronze medal and equal his performance last year in Innsbruck at the 2018 Worlds, saying Slovenia's Primož Roglič and Australia's Rohan Dennis will provide stiff competition.
>>> UCI Road World Championships 2019 in Yorkshire: routes, TV guides, start lists
"My ambition is to at least match the bronze medal of last year. I think my main rival will be Primož Roglič, who rode a fantastic Vuelta and who will for sure be superb now.
"Rohan Dennis has also been out of competition for a long time, but I estimate his chances are high. I also expect Remco Evenepoel [to perform well], I think he’s the absolute favourite, by the way. Remco is a compatriot but of course also a rival."
As well as a third at last year's Worlds, Campenaerts is a two-time European TT champion, but did not compete in this year's event, where Evenepoel beat Denmark's Kasper Asgreen to claim the title.
The Lotto-Soudal rider's pedigree is clear to all, and isn't quite counting himself out of getting on the top step of the podium in Harrogate.
"Normally, the Yorkshire time trial course suits me better than the one of Innsbruck. It is undulating and similar to that of Glasgow [where Campenaerts conquered his second European time trial title]. It’s constantly twisting and turning, but never really technical. So, I am very pleased with the course, which, in the meantime, I know by heart. The distance, 54km, is quite long but that characterises a world championship. It should definitely suit me."
Part of the 27-year-old's training has included riding a simulated time trial course similar to what Yorkshire will offer, and also believes his lack of race days compared to his opponents will give him an advantage.
"During the past weeks, I mainly trained at home and in Overijse, I simulated a time trial course, similar to the one in Yorkshire. For the longer training blocks, I rode along the canal.
"The fact that I will be lining up relatively fresh, could certainly be to my advantage. During this period of the year, a lot of riders are at their limit...something like that is not so strange at the end of a demanding season."
The men's elite time trial takes place on Wednesday September 25, with the 54km course set to be complicated by possible inclement weather.
Thank you for reading 5 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Hi. I'm Cycling Weekly's Weekend Editor. I like writing offbeat features and eating too much bread when working out on the road at bike races.
Before joining Cycling Weekly I worked at The Tab and I've also written for Vice, Time Out, and worked freelance for The Telegraph (I know, but I needed the money at the time so let me live).
I also worked for ITV Cycling between 2011-2018 on their Tour de France and Vuelta a España coverage. Sometimes I'd be helping the producers make the programme and other times I'd be getting the lunches. Just in case you were wondering - Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen had the same ham sandwich every day, it was great.
-
-
Europol confirms raids on Bahrain Victorious at Tour de France related to 'the use of prohibited substances in cycling races'
Three people were interrogated as officials searched 14 locations in six countries
By Ryan Dabbs • Published
-
Check out Peter Sagan's custom-painted, Tour-ready Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL7
TotalEnergies' star lines up for his 11th Tour de France riding a familiar bike in unfamiliar colours
By Luke Friend • Published
-
Stirling to host time trials at the 2023 World Championships
Central Scottish city to host time trial events at first multi-event worlds
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Road World Championships 2022 route announced: Australia races to suit puncheurs
The local loop takes in a brutally steep climb every lap to whittle down the field
By Tim Bonville-Ginn • Published
-
Tadej Pogačar adds World Championships and Giro d'Italia to his wish list but is not done with the Tour de France
The Slovenian says he's still hungry to win at the Tour despite his dominance over the last year
By Tim Bonville-Ginn • Published
-
Jasper Stuyven has his say on Belgian storm after World Championships
'All of a sudden we’re so stupid' says Stuyven after his fourth place in Leuven
By Tim Bonville-Ginn • Published
-
'The girls who were still there can blame themselves': Annemiek van Vleuten critical of team-mates at World Championships
Demi Vollering was due to be a key rider for the sprint but didn't have the legs after multiple mechanicals
By Tim Bonville-Ginn • Published
-
'Remco Evenepoel was the best man in the race after Julian Alaphilippe': Lefevere baffled by Belgian tactics at World Championships
The Deceuninck - Quick-Step boss is happy to keep the rainbow jersey in the team but questions the Belgians' ride
By Tim Bonville-Ginn • Published
-
Road World Championships 2021: Strava data shows brutality of race around Flanders
Remco Evenepoel, Michael Valgren, Dylan van Baarle and more posted their rides to the site
By Tim Bonville-Ginn • Published
-
Thomas Voeckler: 'We wanted to attack earlier than everyone else at Worlds so they would think we were idiots'
French boss happily accepts fine for coaching Julian Alaphilippe when it wasn't permitted
By Richard Windsor • Published