PARIS: Belgian Remco Evenepoel added the Olympic gold medal to his world title yesterday, defying rain, a strong field and a Tour de France hangover to win the 32.4km individual time trial in Paris.
The 24-year-old was almost 15 seconds faster than Italian Filippo Ganna in second while another Belgian, Wout van Aert, took bronze at 25 seconds.
Evenepoel said he only just recovered afer he came third overall in the Tour de France last weekend, won the white jersey as best young rider and also won one of the time trials.
"I partied until four in the morning and then slept all day, it was two days before I got on a bike again and to be honest I only felt fresh again this morning," said Evenepoel.
A former footballer at youth international level, Evenepoel divides opinion in his homeland where he is loved and criticised in equal measure.
"I'll enjoy this moment with Wout (van Aert) tonight, maybe not until four in the morning because we have a joint race next week," he joked.
"This is one of the most beautiful moments of my life, even if it's not enough for some people back home."
British hope Josh Tarling finished fourth, two seconds behind Van Aert, after losing time on an early puncture.
A day after it rained on the opening ceremony, dark skies hung low again over Paris as the first cycling event embarked from the military museum at Invalides.
At the ramps where riders set off at one-minute intervals, Tarling and Ganna were pre-race favourites.
Evenepoel set off at a lightning pace and was in the lead at every time check.
"I didn't risk it on the corners. I had the time gaps but I only really knew near the end," said Evenepoel.
Ganna saved his fastest form for the finale, a five-kilometre home straight and overhauled Van Aert to move from third to second in the last section.
Evenepoel, a much smaller man, did better on his cornering than the other two medallists.
On the streets through the French capital he chose his line better and accelerated out of corners sooner.
The Belgian was world time trial champion in 2023 and world road race champion in 2022 and will target an Olympic double next weekend in the 273km road race.
"It's the last big race I needed to win so I ticked it off now. Beating two cycling legends is crazy and amazing," he added.
Ganna said he would celebrate with his family in Paris but then return to Italy to train for the Olympic track events.
Van Aert broke multiple ribs, a collarbone and a chest bone in a crash in March.
"This is the biggest of the races we take part in, it's only when you are here that you appreciate that," he said.