Evenepoel owns up to his off day at the World Championships: “No excuses, I simply wasn’t good enough”

Remco Evenepoel arrived at the World Championship in Montreal as one of the top candidates for the rainbow jersey and with the possibility of completing the double after winning the time trial title. But from the first laps of the Canadian circuit, he realized that his legs were not responding as he had hoped. Still, the Belgian managed to stay in the race until the end and finished 12th, 25 seconds behind the new world champion, Brandon McNulty.

Evenepoel: "There are no excuses, I simply wasn't good enough"

Remco Evenepoel's race was a continuous succession of critical moments and recoveries. The Belgian lost contact with the best several times, re-entered with the help of his teammates, and still had the strength to attempt some moves in the final kilometers.

After crossing the finish line, however, he did not seek overly complicated explanations.

"Today I wasn't really well, unfortunately. From the first lap, the pace was incredibly high, and I immediately felt that I didn't have my best sensations."

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Evenepoel particularly pointed out the work done by France when the race entered the Montreal circuit. Bruno Armirail increased the pace for a good part of the early laps for a team that had Paul Seixas as one of its main options.

"It was a really strange race because of the high pace set by France. Maybe they also ended up destroying their own leader."

Seixas himself managed to stay with the best until the last lap but ended up losing ground after suffering cramps and finished 15th.

For Evenepoel, however, the first warning signs had come much earlier.

"It's a shame to have a worse day today, but there are no excuses. I simply wasn't good enough. I had good sensations throughout the week. If we could choose our days, it would be easy."

Evenepoel struggled on the long climbs but never abandoned the race

The Belgian's difficulties became particularly evident during the second half of the race. When the attacks began to definitively select the group of favorites, Evenepoel lost ground several times.

He himself explained later where he was finding his biggest problems. "On the longer climbs, I always struggled quite a bit at the end. On the shorter and steeper ones, I could still push quite well."

One of the images of the race came when Wout van Aert waited for his compatriot to help him return to the front group. Evenepoel managed to save a situation that seemed practically definitive and continued fighting to get back into the mix.

"I fought and tried to finish as high as possible. I also did it for my teammates, who had worked hard."

Even in the last lap, he tried again. When the chase of Brandon McNulty, who would end up being crowned world champion, began to stall, Evenepoel launched another attack from the chasing group. The response came quickly, and he couldn't get away.

"I know that when I attack, they react quite quickly. I tried several times, but they were right on my wheel. I can't blame anyone for that. I tried, but today it just wasn't meant to be."

The European Championship, in just one week

Evenepoel also won't have much time to dwell on the result in Montreal. His next big goal will come in just one week with the European Championship.

The Belgian acknowledges that recovery won't be easy after the World Championship in Canada.

"It has to be that way. In a week, we are competing again. It won't be an easy preparation due to jet lag and the long trip, but we will prepare a good plan with the coach."

After a day when the sensations did not meet expectations, Evenepoel is clear about what he needs to get back to fighting at the front.

"I hope to be quite a bit better next week because it will be necessary."