Evenepoel vs Pogacar: time trial head-to-head record before the 2025 Worlds

Evenepoel has dominated the rivalry with eight wins from ten duels, yet Pogacar has struck back in two of their last four encounters.

On both occasions that Pogačar has been victorious, the route has been demanding. Victory on stage 13 in the 2025 Tour saw Pogačar conquer the climb to Peyragudes. Meanwhile, the stage win in the yellow jersey on the final day in Nice in 2024 saw the riders tackle two tough climbs to La Turbie and Col d’Eze, with Pogačar victorious by a handsome margin.

However, when it comes to championship time trials, Evenepoel remains the man to beat, having beaten Pogačar en route to the rainbow bands in 2023 in Glasgow, whilst the Belgian was also faster in Wollongong in 2022, where he finished 3rd.

There's no doubting that Evenepoel still remains the best on a more traditional time trial route, which suits the specialists, but with the more climbing that is thrown into the mix, Pogačar's odds increase.

These statistics indicate that, based on the difficult route in store in Rwanda, it’s set to be a finely poised battle for Gold in the race against the clock in Kigali, with either rider capable of taking the rainbow jersey.

The 40.6km route in Kigali will be a stern test, with four categorised climbs on the menu, including a cobble ascent up the Côte de Kimihurura inside the final couple of kilometres, meaning this won't be your average run-of-the-mill time trial.

If Evenepoel is victorious, he will move up to joint 3rd on the all-time list of most wins, and will become the first rider since Tony Martin (2011-2013) to win three consecutive editions.

If Pogačar is to get his hands on the rainbow jersey in the time trial for the first time, the Slovenian would join Evenepoel and Abraham Olano as the only elite male riders to become world champions in both the road race and time trial events.

One way or another, the race against the clock in Kigali looks set to carve its own place in cycling history.