Remco Evenepoel accidentally breaks Strava KOM during Specialized photoshoot
Remco Evenepoel may have finished his racing season, but the Belgian is evidently still in a hurry. During a photoshoot for Specialized in Los Angeles on Tuesday, the reigning Olympic time trial champion claimed a Strava KOM that had stood for eight years, seemingly without even trying.
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Evenepoel has been in California since the weekend, combining sponsor commitments with wind tunnel testing and an early reconnaissance of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic time trial course. The Belgian is enjoying the off season but also working for 2027, with a photoshoot becoming a record-breaking ride.
On Tuesday, Evenepoel covered almost 34km at an average speed of more than 40kph during a ride organised for Specialized. Along the way, he claimed the KOM on the 27.69km 'Double Reservoir Loop' segment, stopping the clock at 40:18.
That was 23 seconds quicker than the previous benchmark, which had remained untouched since 2018.
Evenepoel shared the KOM achievement on Strava, accompanied by a single sweating smile emoji (😅).
No slowing down in California
The unexpected record is the latest episode in a busy few days for the Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe rider, who has hardly been taking it easy since bringing his 2026 campaign to a close with victory at the Chrono des Nations.
After arriving in Los Angeles on Saturday, Evenepoel and his teammates Jai Hindley and Luke Tuckwell joined a 48km social ride organised by Specialized in Santa Monica. Demi Vollering, who also rides Specialized equipment at FDJ United-Suez, was among those in attendance with several teammates.
On Sunday, Evenepoel did a vital reconnaissance ride. As previously reported by Domestique, the Belgian used his time in Los Angeles to scout the expected route of the 2028 Olympic individual time trial.
He completed a 65km ride that incorporated sections of the anticipated Olympic course, which is expected to start near Los Angeles Zoo and finish uphill at the Griffith Observatory.
The reconnaissance was an early statement of intent from Evenepoel, who will arrive at the next Olympics as defending champion in both the road race and individual time trial following his historic double in Paris in 2024.
Evenepoel already looking ahead
Evenepoel's California trip also forms part of his preparations for 2027, when he will again be targeting the Tour de France after finishing runner-up to Tadej Pogačar this summer. He is expected to spend several days in the Specialized wind tunnel at the companies HQ in Morgan Hill near San Francisco.
The Belgian ended his first season with Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe with 14 victories, including a fourth consecutive world time trial title, and his new team has already begun identifying areas for further improvement.
Speaking to Domestique in a recent interview, Red Bull head of sports Zak Dempster highlighted the intensity that Evenepoel has brought to the organisation.
“I mean, he’s an intense guy, you know, he really prioritises winning,” Dempster said. “So in everything he does, winning is at the forefront.”
That competitive instinct apparently extends to sponsor photoshoots, too.
