Evenepoel and three Dutch Women achieve two remarkable feats

The most anticipated one-man show by Belgian junior phenomenon Remco Evenepoel was followed by a clean sweep from the Netherlands women who claimed all three steps on the podium at the 2018 UCI Road World Championships Innsbruck-Tirol in the Individual Time Trials.

There was no surprise in the Men Junior Time Trial: Belgium’s Remco Evenepoel met the expectations as he smashed the times of his regular European rivals along with Australia’s Luke Plapp who occupied the hot seat up until the hot favorite crossed the line. The phenomenon rode at an average speed of almost 50km/h on the Junior-limited gear to win a race that is very likely to remain famous in the history of cycling.

Annemiek van Vleuten took a back to back gold medal today, pairing with her first Individual Time Trial World title in Bergen, Norway, last year. Last rider on the road, she edged out her compatriots Anna Van der Breggen and Ellen Van Dijk who held the best times before she bettered them by almost half a minute and one and half minute. Never before in the history of this event – that was implemented in 1994 – has one country taken the first three places.

MEN JUNIOR INDIVIDUAL TIME TRIAL PODIUM

1 – Remco Evenepoel - 27.7km in 33’15.24”, average speed 49.979km/h

2 – Lucas Plapp at 1’23.66”

3 – Andrea Piccolo at 1’37.62”

WOMEN INDIVIDUAL TIME TRIAL PODIUM

1 - Annemiek van Vleuten - 27.7km in 34’25.36”, average speed 48.282km/h

2 - Anna van der Breggen at 28.99”

3 - Ellen van Dijk at 1’25.19”

MEN’S QUOTES

Remco Evenepoel, the winner: “I came here to Innsbruck three weeks ago on a recce. I already enjoyed the nice weather and riding with almost no holes in the roads. The climbs are short but pretty steep; that’s what I like. This was one of the nicest courses I have done in my cycling career. I’ve worked very hard to become the World Champion. I had in mind a good power output level that I was able to keep up with. In the last 500 metres, I was told that I could raise my hands up. It’s very nice to celebrate a Time Trial victory before crossing the line… it’s also exceptional for me.

“It was emotional because two weeks ago, I met with the family of the late Igor Decraene in their village and they said: ‘you’re the only one we want to see winning the World Championship.’ In Belgium, people say that I win ‘with two fingers in the nose’ but it all comes from hard work. Being the new Eddy Merckx is not something I want to hear. I want to be somebody new. I’m the new me.”

Luke Plapp, second, said: “In Australia, we don’t know how good the Europeans are because we don’t race them. But we knew that Remco [Evenepoel] has already signed for Quick Step. He’s exceptional. I had a good preparation for these Worlds after I won two gold medals at the Track Worlds one month ago – but I didn’t have the power to match Remco.”

Andrea Piccolo, third, said: “I knew Remco [Evenepoel] from the Trophée Centre-Morbihan in May. I was lucky enough to break away with him before he dropped me. At the European Championships, we had a tactic for winning the road race but it was useless because I rode away from the gun and we didn’t even manage to maintain the gap. It’s a good result to make the podium alongside him and I’m first year Junior so I can hope for more next year.”

WOMEN’S QUOTES

The winner Annemiek Van Vleuten said: “I was totally sure of holding the best time but I got confused and a bit nervous with the GPS timing. I was surprised by the gap when I got to know it eventually, I didn’t expect to win by this much. At the National Championship, I made the mistake of not going out fast, I didn’t want to repeat it here. I went full gas up the climbs, but I still had to push on the descents. The tail wind made it a very fast course with no recovery. I recce’d it four times in May with the national coach and more since I got here on Friday, so I knew every corner.

“Last year, I knew I was in good shape, but I was a bit more insecure than today, because at the Rio Olympics I was close to winning something really nice and I didn’t finish it off. But I took confidence from last year into this World Championship here today. I’d also like to add a new chapter in my book as an athlete. I’m at the top of my game and we want to win with the Road Race for the Netherlands again on Saturday.”

Anna van der Breggen, second, said: “It’s nice to have a fully Dutch podium but I’d like to change the order a bit. We were all hoping to be the fastest. I’m happy with my Time Trial. It went really well. I recovered well from the Team Time Trial. I have another chance for the gold medal on Saturday. I’m feeling good, which is necessary ahead of the road race on a difficult course. We’ll be the favorites again. It’s hard to explain why we’re faster than other countries. Personally, I just try to be as good as possible.” Ellen van Dijk, third, said: “This has never happened before so it’s great for Dutch cycling but it’s an individual effort so I can’t be completely satisfied with where I stand on the podium. We have different personalities so we prepare for the same event in our own way. Annemiek trains a lot in altitude, many things bring her to her level, but we all have to think of what’s best for ourselves. There are good cycling infrastructures in the Netherlands and good support for women cycling. It’s been going on for many years.”

Final Results

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