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.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
"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 20 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.
-
'I don’t know where I’d be without my leg' – Paracyclist Meg Fisher to tackle Ecuador’s Highest Peak, 20,549ft Chimborazo, to help provide life-changing prosthetics for amputees
'I will never forget how people told me to keep my expectations of my abilities low...I’m doing this to see if I can do it and to show others that they can do it too,' says Fisher.
By Anne-Marije Rook Published
-
Tweets of the week: Tadej Pogačar's special nutrition isn't as pro as you think
The Giro d'Italia winner has his own Italian dish
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Latvia protest against Mathieu van der Poel's World Championships result, saying he 'endangered spectators'
Latvian Cycling Federation calls on UCI to explain decision not to disqualify Dutchman who mounted pavement
By Tom Davidson Published
-
'I was pushing but I couldn't feel my legs' - GB's Oscar Onley on his breakout World Championships ride
The 21-year-old was the youngest man in the top-20 in Zürich and matched some of the big guns on his way to 16th
By Adam Becket Published
-
'It was a stupid move, but it worked' - Tadej Pogačar on his history-making World Championships ride
Welcome to the Pogačar era, where the Slovenian can attack from 100km to the line and still win. It's just starting.
By Adam Becket Published
-
'Crazy', 'not normal', 'another level' - Peloton reacts to another Tadej Pogačar solo masterclass at World Championships
The win was not unexpected, but the way it happened might have been, as the Slovenian soloed to historic victory
By Adam Becket Published
-
Tadej Pogačar completes stunning Triple Crown with 51km solo to maiden rainbow jersey
Slovenian caps off imperious year with victory at the World Championships road race in Zurich
By Flo Clifford Published
-
'Everyone wants to win, sometimes that means everyone wants to lose' - Dutch attack, attack, and attack, but end up with fifth after confusing World Championships road race
Demi Vollering staked everything on trying to win the rainbow bands, but it wasn't to be. Was there a better way?
By Adam Becket Published
-
Lotte Kopecky has 'perfect day' as she sprints to Worlds glory again
Belgian becomes seventh woman to defend the rainbow bands on tough day on the roads of Zürich
By Adam Becket Published
-
'In a sprint with Kopecky, that’s probably the best I can do' - Chloé Dygert content with silver in World Championships road race
The American took the best result for her country since 1991 in the road race, capping off great year for USA women's cycling
By Adam Becket Published