GEVREY-CHAMBERTIN, France — Race-against-the-clock specialist Remco Evenepoel delivered an impressive display of power and precision Friday to win the Tour de France’s first time trial, leaving behind all other contenders for the yellow jersey including race leader Tadej Pogacar.
Despite a small problem with his bike close to the finish that cost him a few seconds, the Tour debutant mastered the 25-kilometre (16-mile) stage in Burgundy wine country to post his first win at cycling’s biggest race in a dominant fashion.
Evenepoel clocked 28 minutes, 52 seconds to beat Pogacar by 12 seconds, according to provisional results. Primoz Roglic was third, 34 seconds off the pace.
Evenepoel stayed in second place in the general classification, 33 seconds behind Pogacar. Two-time defending champion Jonas Vingegaard was third overall, 1:15 behind.
Evenepoel won the worlds time trial last year and the road race in 2022. He needed surgery this season after breaking a collar bone and shoulder blade in a crash at the Tour of Basque Country. The two-time world champion and 2022 Spanish Vuelta champion will lead Belgium’s men’s team in road cycling at the Paris Olympics.
The stage took riders on forest roads and through vineyards on a mostly flat terrain. The short climb of the Côte de Curtil-Vergy after 12 kilometres added a dose of pain on the way to the finish in Gevrey-Chambertin.
Tucked in a perfect aerodynamic position, Evenepoel went all out in the descent, reaching the impressive speed of 85 kilometres (53 miles) per hour. He slowed down with about 2.5 kilometres (1.5 mile) left, thinking he had a puncture, but quickly realized everything was fine and rekindled his effort.
There will be a second time-trial on the final day of the race on July 21 — a 34-kilometre (21.1-mile) trek between Monaco and Nice.
Saturday’s Stage 8 will take the peloton on a hilly ride to Colombey-les-Deux-Eglises, the home and final resting place of former French President Charles de Gaulle.