Evenepoel wants to 'be the best sportsman Belgium has ever known' as he plans fewer time trials in 2026

Evenepoel collected the award on Sunday in Schelle, returning briefly from his Red Bull - Bora - Hansgrohe camp to attend the gala. “For one of the most beautiful prizes, I am happy to make an effort,” he said to Sporza. 

The honour puts him within one win of Merckx, who took the trophy six years in a row between 1969 and 1974. “I am not far from that anymore, and I still have a few years ahead of me,” Evenepoel said. “It is a beautiful goal to go level and then go beyond.” 

He framed it as more than a number, too. “It would be beautiful and an honour to be ahead of such a great name. I want to try to be the best sportsman Belgium has ever known.”

His reflections returned to the rhythm of his 2025 campaign. “It was a year with highs and lows,” he said afterwards. “A good start, a difficult middle part and a strong finish. I am very satisfied with how I could end the season. That gives a lot of motivation and morale to get through the winter well.” 

After spending the early months sidelined, he made a quick impact on his comeback, winning the Brabantse Pijl, finishing third in the Amstel Gold Race and taking the Belgian time trial title. The Tour de France, his main target, ended early with a withdrawal, but his late-season response was emphatic with a world title and European gold against the clock. 

In the road races at the World Championships and European Championships he had to concede to a dominant Tadej Pogacar, yet his consistency in the time trial discipline underlined his standing as the sport’s defining specialist.

That status now comes with a new question: what to do next when the biggest boxes are ticked? 

Evenepoel indicated he will likely reduce his time trial obligations. “I am going to skip a few more time trial championships next year and focus on other things,” he said. “That makes it easier to make choices.” 

Which events he ultimately skips is unclear, but he could return as defending champion at the Belgian Championships in June, the World Championships time trial in Montréal in September and the European Championships in Slovenia in October.

Evenepoel’s comments also offered an early glimpse of how he is settling into his new team environment. “It is fun,” he said. “Both at the table and on the bike the atmosphere is very good. Nice team mates and staff members. I have a good feeling about it.” 

The aim for 2026 is clear: a healthier, more stable season built around his biggest ambitions. “I hope for a year without problems, without injuries, and also to win a lot from the beginning to the end,” he said. “Winning is in my character, my DNA.”