Evenepoel, Küng and Vine go head-to-head in the year’s final major time trial today: start times and where to watch

The 44th edition of the Nations' Time Trial will take place this Sunday, October 18, in Les Herbiers, France, where Remco Evenepoel will debut his newly revalidated rainbow jersey. The Belgian leads a top-level participation in an event that brings together some of the world's best time trial specialists and traditionally serves as a season finale.

Evenepoel seeks his first victory in the elite category

The French town of Les Herbiers will once again become the center of international cycling this Sunday with the celebration of the Nations' Time Trial 2026. This unique competition, which is held entirely in individual time trial format, will gather more than 200 cyclists across seven races, from under-17 categories to professionals.

The main attraction will be Remco Evenepoel (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe), who arrives with the rainbow jersey of world time trial champion and with an outstanding issue in this competition.

Although Evenepoel won the Nations' Time Trial as a junior in 2018, he has yet to triumph among professionals. He finished fifth in 2021 and second in 2023, when Joshua Tarling surpassed him by just 13 seconds.

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The Belgian will have to face rivals such as Stefan Küng (Tudor Pro Cycling Team), winner of the event in 2021, 2022, and 2024, and Jay Vine (UAE Team Emirates-XRG), second in the last two editions.

Also at the start will be Alec Segaert, Rémi Cavagna, Mikkel Bjerg, Mattia Cattaneo, and Maxime Decomble, completing a participation of 24 riders in the men's category.

Elisa Longo Borghini leads the women's participation

In the women's category, the main reference will be Elisa Longo Borghini (UAE Team L'Imad). The Italian returns to Les Herbiers after finishing third in 2013 and after a 2026 season in which she placed third in the Tour de France and the World Road Championships.

Among her main rivals will be Juliette Berthet, European bronze medalist in the time trial, Célia Le Mouël, Maëva Squiban, and Alessia Vigilia.

In the men's under-23 category, the standout is Italian Nicolas Milesi, world time trial runner-up, alongside Australian Cameron Rogers.

Route, schedule, and where to watch the Nations' Time Trial 2026

The elite men's race will take place over a route of 45.43 kilometers and approximately 360 meters of positive elevation, starting next to the town hall of Les Herbiers and finishing at the Place de la Gare. The itinerary will feature intermediate checkpoints in Saint-Paul-en-Pareds (km 10.5) and Mouchamps (km 34.8).

The elite and under-23 women will cover 27.23 kilometers.

Here are the main schedules for Sunday, October 18, in CEST time:

• 11:00: competition begins with the under-17 women.
• 13:21: start of the first under-23 men.
• 13:56: start of the elite and under-23 women's time trial.
• 14:21: start of Elisa Longo Borghini.
• 14:26: start of the elite men's time trial.
• 15:08: start of Stefan Küng.
• 15:10: start of Jay Vine.
• 15:12: start of Remco Evenepoel, the last participant.

The competition can be followed for free through the organization's YouTube channel between 11:00 and 14:00 hours. Subsequently, the broadcast will be available through Eurosport and HBO Max, with coverage on the latter platform starting at 14:10 hours.