Remco Evenepoel and Grace Brown Make Historic Wins in World Road Time Trial Championships

Belgium’s Remco Evenepoel and Australia’s Grace Brown both secured victories at the World Road Time Trial Championships, adding to their Olympic successes. Evenepoel narrowly defeated Filippo Ganna, while Brown triumphed over Demi Vollering. Both cyclists have had stellar seasons, with Evenepoel overcoming technical issues and Brown making a strong comeback.

Belgium's Remco Evenepoel edged out Italy's Filippo Ganna to retain his world road time trial title, capping off a golden summer after Australia's Grace Brown also claimed the women's event on Sunday. The 24-year-old Evenepoel, who also triumphed in the time trial and road race at this year's Paris Olympics, completed the 46km course on a striking golden bike, finishing six seconds ahead.

Despite Ganna's efforts to claw back time, Evenepoel maintained his lead and celebrated yet another victory. Italy's Edoardo Affini secured third place, the only other rider within a minute of Evenepoel, who faced his biggest challenge when his chain fell off moments before starting.

"I felt pretty good at the start and then had a bit of a difficult moment on the climb," Evenepoel said. "It was maybe the most difficult time trial of my life, but in the end, we won." Brown, who is set to retire after next week's road race, ensured she leaves the sport as a world champion with a stellar performance, achieving a rare double.

The 32-year-old Brown became the first cyclist ever, in both men's and women's racing, to win Olympic and world titles in the same year, a feat echoed by Evenepoel shortly after. Brown was initially trailing Dutch rival Demi Vollering at the second checkpoint on the 29.9km route but turned the race around to claim the title by 17 seconds.

"Honestly, it feels like I'm in a dream these last couple of months," she said. "These big goals seemed ambitious, but I've managed to realise those dreams on the road, so it's been cool. I'm concluding my career at the end of this season, and I feel really, really lucky to finish like this. It's special."

(With inputs from agencies.)