Wout Van Aert and Remco Evenepoel made it clear they are aiming for the world title and medals in the men’s time trial event that kicks-off the UCI Road World Championships in Flanders on Sunday.
Speaking during an outdoor press conference as the tension and expectations rose in Belgium, the two appeared confident and ready to race.
Van Aert had arrived a little earlier on Friday, personally bringing his time trial bikes to the Belgian national team hotel near Bruges. Evenepoel arrived on Thursday afternoon and quickly rode the 43.3km course between Knokke-Heist on the coast and the finish in Bruges.
The flat and fast course is expected to be a test of pure time trial ability, with the long straight roads and crosswinds added factors.