Evenepoel rules out Hour Record attempt before 2030

Speaking to Gazzetta Dello Sport ahead of the Ardennes classics, Evenepoel made clear that the Hour Record is not part of his short term plans. Despite the presence of Dan Bigham in the team setup, himself a former record holder, the 26-year-old Belgian admitted the discipline does not yet fit naturally into his program.

“It’s definitely not for this year, and not for 2027 either,” he said. “I’ve never really been a track rider. If it happens, it won’t be before 2030.”

The Hour Record, currently held by Ganna at 56.792 kilometres, has regained prestige in recent years, attracting some of the sport’s strongest time trial specialists. Evenepoel, a world class rider against the clock, would appear a natural candidate, but his comments suggest a longer term approach rather than an immediate pursuit.

With these remarks, Remco Evenepoel reiterates his earlier stance on the Hour Record. In July of last year, he responded to a public call from Eddy Merckx, urging both Evenepoel and Tadej Pogačar to consider attempting the prestigious mark.

“Yes, I will do it, but you’ll have to wait a few more years,” Evenepoel told L'Équipe at the time. “I think there’s a way to beat it.”

Merckx’s own Hour Record, set in 1972 in Mexico City, remains one of the defining moments of his career. His distance of 49.431 kilometres stood as a benchmark for decades, and he later described it as “the hardest ride” he had ever done.

In an interview with Le Soir to mark his 80th birthday, Merckx again encouraged both riders to take on the challenge, suggesting that the current record set by Filippo Ganna could be within reach.

“They should try,” Merckx said. “The Slovenian is the better rider, he’s more of an all-rounder. But Remco has incredible aerodynamism. It would be great if they took up the challenge.”