Evenepoel Dominates at Belgian Men’s Time Trial Championships
Remco Evenepoel excelled in the Belgian men’s time trial championships held on Friday in Brasschaat, asserting his status as the favorite. The reigning world and Olympic champion delivered an exceptional performance on the flat course, finishing the event without challengers. Lotte Kopecky also secured her seventh title in the women’s category., reports 24brussels.
The 25-year-old Evenepoel completed the 40.2 km course in 44:43, achieving an average speed of 54.3 km/h. He finished 1:11 ahead of second-placed Florian Vermeersch, who experienced a minor slip during the race. Alec Segaert took home the bronze medal.
“It was pretty tough,” Evenepoel remarked to Sporza. “This time trial required continuous effort with little opportunity for recovery. I had to maintain strict pacing and rely on my split times. I was able to keep up quite well.”
This victory marks Evenepoel’s second national time trial title; he previously won in Gavere in 2022. He will also be among the key competitors in the Belgian road championships in Binche on Sunday, followed by the upcoming Tour de France, where he secured a third-place finish in the general classification last year.
Koepcky Wins Seventh Title
In the women’s event, Lotte Kopecky emerged as the definitive favorite, winning her seventh consecutive Belgian time trial championship. The 29-year-old from Team SD-Worx-Protime completed the 20.1 km course in a time of 24:37.965, averaging 48.96 km/h. Kopecky, donned in her European champion’s jersey, outpaced her closest competitor, Marthe Goossens, by 58 seconds, while Lotte Claes secured the final podium position.
“I actually started this time trial with doubts,” Kopecky expressed after her victory. “I’ve undergone a pretty intensive training phase and was uncertain how I would fare.”
Kopecky may contend for her fifth road title on Sunday in Binche, looking for a consecutive win following her championships in Izegem and Zottegem.
