Remco Evenepoel sets sights on rainbow jersey after record-breaking Clasica San Sebastian triumph - 'Now I’ll try to become world champion'
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By Ben Grounds
Published 01/08/2026 at 19:06 GMT+1
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Remco Evenepoel has already turned his attention towards another rainbow jersey after making history at the Clasica San Sebastian on Saturday. No rider has won the event more times but Evenepoel's fourth triumph in as many appearances was far from straightforward.
Evenepoel smokes Carapaz to take record fourth San Sebastian crown
Video credit: TNT Sports
The Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe rider defeated Richard Carapaz (EF Education–EasyPost) in a two-man sprint to add a fourth win following triumphs in 2019, 2022 and 2023. The result moved Evenepoel beyond Marino Lejarreta as the most successful rider in the history of the event.
A puncture with around 50 kilometres remaining left his hopes in danger, forcing him into a difficult chase before the decisive climbs.
"This was the hardest of all four victories," Evenepoel said after the finish. "After the descent, the downhill of Jaizkibel, I had a flat tire."
Evenepoel later explained that glass on the road had caused the problem, leaving him around 30 seconds behind before the race split on Erlaitz.
With his team-mates helping him return to contention, the Belgian remained composed before making the most of their work in the finale.
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Remco Evenepoel is already looking ahead to his next major objective
Image credit: Getty Images
"I had to remain patient," he continued. ”Thanks to my team-mates for bringing me back towards the front. I still had to finish off their brilliant work. What a day. A wonderful victory.”
After recovering from the setback, Evenepoel survived the pressure of defending champion Giulio Ciccone’s acceleration on Erlaitz before making his decisive move on Murgil-Tontorra.
Only Carapaz could follow and the pair stayed clear before Evenepoel produced a powerful sprint to claim victory.
"I’m happy that I was able to beat a strong Carapaz," Evenepoel said. "He followed well. I produced a strong sprint and, as soon as I launched, I quickly felt that I was going to win. I had a good day. The situation was just a little tricky because of the puncture, but the victory is the most important thing.”
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Highlights: Evenepoel humbles Pogacar to take TT glory
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The victory came six days after Evenepoel finished second at the 2026 Tour de France behind Tadej Pogacar, where he also won two stages, including the summit finish at Plateau de Solaison and the Stage 16 individual time trial.
After another major achievement in an already outstanding season, Evenepoel has now set his sights on a global title.
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"Now I’ll have some recovery and rest," he said. "Then I’ll build up again and I want to become world champion."
He first announced himself on the global stage in 2018, winning both the junior road race and individual time trial titles at the World Championships in Innsbruck.
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Evenepoel described it as the toughest of his four victories
Image credit: Getty Images
His first elite world title arrived in 2022 in Wollongong, where he produced a memorable solo ride to win the men’s road race championship. The victory made him Belgium’s first winner of the event since Philippe Gilbert in 2012.
A year later, Evenepoel added the individual time trial world title to his collection, further confirming his status as one of cycling’s most complete riders by retaining it in 2024.
He continued his dominance against the clock in 2025 by winning his third consecutive individual time trial rainbow jersey.
This year's World Championships take place in Quebec from September 20 to 27.
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