Belgium’s Remco Evenepoel overcame a mid-race crash, a slow wheel change, a long chase and even racing with number 13 on his back, to win the junior men’s road race world title at the UCI Road World Championships in Innsbruck.
No one has ever won both the junior men’s time trial world title and then a few days later the junior road race world title. No one has certainly ever done it in such spectacular fashion after losing more than two minutes in a crash. And no one, not even a young Eddy Merckx, showed the same talents and such apparent maturity at just 18 years of age.
Evenepoel is naturally confident, yet he was also keen to celebrate his world title with his Belgian teammates at McDonalds on Sunday night. He cheekily rubbed his chin as a symbol of a goat’s beard before reaching the finish of the race and holding up his bike at the finish line. He was imitating soccer stars Lionel Messi and Christian Ronaldo who have teased each other about being the G.O.A.T (Greatest of all time).
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He seemed full of bravado but was more modest post-race and revealed that was simply a gesture to a friend watching on television.
“I’m not a champion, I’m still a junior. Real champions are the best amongst the pros. I’ve still got a long way to go,” Evenepoel said as he reflected on what he had achieved and how his life will change as a Belgian double world champion.
“The real legends are guys like Eddy Merckx and Alberto Contador. I prepared for this as professionally as possible, but it was far from perfect. I’m a world champion now, but I’m not a champion for life. I’m not the new Merckx. I’m haven't won a world title as a professional rider and I haven't won the Tour de France. I’m far from being the new Merckx, I’m only the new Remco Evenepoel.”
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