Olympic champion Remco Evenepoel has made history by winning a record fourth consecutive world time trial title in Montreal. The 26-year-old Belgian was the favorite to win and dominated the competition, finishing more than half a minute ahead of the rest of the field at the second intermediate time-check. He continued to extend his lead, ultimately finishing almost a minute ahead of second-placed Filippo Ganna. Paul Seixas took third, another 15 seconds back.
Evenepoel's victory equals the record number of overall titles held by German Tony Martin and Swiss Fabian Cancellara. He has not lost a time-trial since the 2025 Tour de France and has enjoyed his best season to date. His impressive performances include wins in the Amstel Gold Race, Clasica San Sebastian, and Grand Prix de Quebec, as well as finishing second behind Tadej Pogacar at the Tour de France.
Ganna had a slow start, only ranking 10th at the first time-check. However, he recovered and moved up to second spot by the third time-check. Despite his efforts, he was unable to close the gap with Evenepoel, who continued to increase his lead throughout the race. Young Swedish rider Jakob Soderqvist initially impressed, ranking second to Evenepoel at the first two time-checks. However, he faded over the last 10km and finished fifth.
Teenage French rider Seixas delivered a strong performance, particularly in the final 10km, to secure third place. In the women's race, Swiss rider Marlen Reusser successfully defended her world time-trial title. Her main rival, Demi Vollering, finished a disappointing eighth. Reusser celebrated her 35th birthday with a comfortable victory, despite being pushed by British rider Zoe Backstedt.
Backstedt had been quickest at the first two intermediate time-checks on the 39.2km course. However, Reusser gained momentum in the second half and beat Backstedt by 40 seconds. German rider Franziska Koch took third, a further six seconds back. Reusser's victory solidifies her position as a dominant force in time-trial racing.
Reusser has been virtually unbeatable in time-trial events in recent years. She is a four-time European champion and has won stages at the Tour de France Femmes and Giro d’Italia Women. The women's race was unusually long, with most women's time trials typically around 20km. Reusser described the experience as making her "really nervous" due to the uncertainty of pacing on a course of that length.
Evenepoel's next objective is to win a second road-race world title next Sunday. He aims to become the first man to achieve the double in the same year. With his current form, he will be a strong contender for the title.
Key points
- Remco Evenepoel becomes the first man to win four consecutive world time trial titles.
- Marlen Reusser retains her world time-trial title in the women's race.
- Evenepoel aims to win a second road-race world title next Sunday.
