Remco Evenepoel becomes world champion for the fourth time. © APA/afp / ANDREJ IVANOV

Evenepoel snatches Ganna Gold away

Remco Evenepoel has become world champion in the individual time trial for the fourth time, equaling the record held by Tony Martin and Fabio Cancellara.

September 20, 2026

With a dominant performance, the exceptional Belgian cyclist won in Montreal, finishing 57 minutes ahead of Italy's Filippo Ganna. Bronze went to Paul Seixas. The 19-year-old French talent finished 1 minute and 13 seconds behind Evenepoel.

Like Tony Martin (2011-13/2016) and the Swiss Fabian Cancellara (2006/2007/2009/2010) before him, Evenepoel was crowned the world's best time trialist for the fourth time. However, the 26-year-old achieved his triumphs consecutively. In the UCI World Championship standings, Evenepoel and Martin are now tied with four titles, one silver, and two bronze medals. Cancellara won three bronze medals.

Ganna with comeback

Evenepoel led for most of the race. By the halfway point of the 39,2-kilometer course, his lead had grown to over half a minute. At that point, the young Swede Jakob Söderqvist was still in second place. The previous year's U23 world champion was on track for a medal for a long time, but crashed about 2,5 kilometers from the finish and ultimately finished fifth.

Filippo Ganna at the Montreal racetrack. © APA/afp / ANDREJ IVANOV

Ganna benefited from his strong race strategy. The 2020 and 2021 world champion was only in tenth place at the first split. But the 30-year-old played to his strengths, especially in the second part of the course, which included the Montreal Formula 1 circuit, and secured silver for the third time after 2023 and 2024.