“Remco Evenepoel takes silver in Kigali after three bike changes: ‘I felt I could ride with Tadej, but cycling is a mechanical sport’”

KIGALI — In a race of fine margins, Belgium’s Remco Evenepoel claimed the silver medal at the UCI Road World Championships in Kigali after enduring no fewer than three separate bike changes. The dramatic turn of events underlined a harsh truth: in top‑level cycling, even the strongest riders can be felled by mechanical misfortune.

A hard-fought performance marred by bike troubles

From the gun, Evenepoel looked in control. He rode aggressively, pushing the pace and chasing down moves, clearly confident in his legs. At several points he gauged that he might be able to ride alongside Tadej Pogačar, the Slovenian star and his chief rival. But as he later conceded, “cycling is a mechanical sport” — and on this day, the machines betrayed him.

He was forced to change bikes three times during the race — each swap costing precious seconds that would ultimately make the difference between gold and silver. Despite those setbacks, he still managed to hang on and contest the finish, a testament to his resilience and mental strength.

After the race, Evenepoel was reflective:

> “I had the sense I could ride with Tadej, but cycling is a mechanical sport.”

 

That line echoed through media rooms and rider camps: at the elite level, success depends not just on power, endurance, and tactics — it can hinge on mechanical luck and flawless equipment.

—

The bigger picture: context and consequences

Evenepoel’s silver is no small achievement. It comes in a world championship held for the first time on African soil, in a city and terrain that pushes riders to their limits. The championship features punishing climbs, cobbled sections, and high altitude — factors that magnify every weakness, whether human or mechanical.

Moreover, Evenepoel is already riding a wave of dominance in time trials. He claimed his third consecutive world time trial title earlier in the week, executing a powerful ride that included overtaking Pogačar on the course. That feat cemented his status as one of the preeminent time trialists in the peloton. But the road race demands more: equipment, strategy, positioning, and resilience against unpredictable variables.