The cycling world was waiting in anticipation to see how Belgian 19-year-old phenom Remco Evenpoel would fare in the elite men's individual time trial at the 2019 UCI Road World Championships in Yorkshire. He finished the 54km event 1:08 slower than two-time world champion Rohan Dennis (AUS) to take the silver medal. I surprised even myself today," he said. I knew it would be hard to beat the big names. Rohan was one of them, and if you look at how fast he finished, he was over a minute faster than me. I can only be satisfied with my performance today." Evenpoel was in the last third of the field that started the time trial and ran the course in 1 hour, 6 minutes, and 14 seconds. Despite being one of the favourites to win the race, Dennis said he did not think he was a medal contender in Yorkshire.

"I'm happy with how I ran," he said. 'I didn't think I could do this in my first year at 19. I wouldn't say I enjoyed it, but I liked the long effort. I strive for this moment. Everything has to be planned. I want to get the most out of my body. Even if there were other better athletes, that's life, that's sport. Today there was only one player who was better." Belgians Yves Lampaert and Victor Campenaerts did not fare as well as their younger teammates after crashing during the time trial. Lampaert was not seriously injured, but finished the competition in 48th place, 13:16 slower than his winning time. Hour record holder Campenaerts, who entered the race as a medal contender, was visibly disappointed. He slipped in a corner and had to change bikes. In the end, he finished 11th, 2:50 slower than Dennis. I was going for the world championship," said Dennis. Rohan Dennis was clearly the best rider in the world championship today. I think I could have been on the podium, but for two intermediate stops. Congratulations to Lemko and Rohan. I would have loved to be on the podium or World Champion." Evenpoel and Lampert will compete in the elite men's road race on Sunday to support their Belgian teammates Philippe Gilbert and Greg Van Avermaet. Evenpoel will then rest for a while to prepare for next year. If I'm ready for the TT, I'm ready for the road race," he said. 'It will be hard for me to win,' he said. There are two guys who are built for this course, Phil and Greg. Phil was great in the Vuelta and Greg was great in Canada. I think they are dangerous. They are a good team. We can compete on a lot of cards. We are in a good position."

Evenpoel is one of cycling's fastest growing talents. At the World Championships in Innsbruck, he stunned nearly every team manager by winning the double world title in the junior men's time trial and road race. He was recruited by Dečuninck-Quick Step boss Patrick Lefebvre to spend this year, his first year on the World Tour. He had a remarkable year, winning the overall at the Baloise Belgian Tour, a stage win at Adriatica Ionica, and time trial victories at the Clasica Ciclista San Sebastian and the European Championships.

"This year has changed me a lot as a person," Evenpoel said. "I won five professional titles, became European champion in time trials, and won a silver medal at the World Championships. I think I'm growing as a person and as an athlete, and I'm in a good place right now."

However, Evenpoel's immediate success in the pros has brought him to the attention of the Belgian and international cycling media. He says he is unfazed by such notices. To cope with the pressures of being a world-class athlete, he chooses to support his close associates.

"It's part of the job. If you do well, the media gets bigger. At the beginning of this year I made a big splash and soon I was competing on the elite and world tours. It was a big challenge, but I was able to prove that I deserved my position," Evenpoel said.

"Even under pressure, I don't listen to others and keep doing my job. Patrick Lefebvre is a really important person for my career. Patrick Lefebvre is a really important person for my career."

Evenpoel will remain with Lefebvre's Quick Step team until 2023, but he revealed that his specific plans for next season revolve entirely around the Tokyo Olympics and the World Championships in Switzerland.

"I've got my ticket to the Olympics," he said. That's my main goal for next season. That's my main goal for next season. After that we have the World Championships again. There will be more climbing and harder courses. These are the two most important points of next season. All the races will work around these two events."

Evenpoel told the press that the course at next year's World Championships suits him better and that he hopes to come back in a better position to win the rainbow jersey.

"Rohan was exceptional today," he said. Next year the course will be more difficult. Next year the track will be harder. I'll do my best. Rohan will also be working hard to become a triple world champion. There is still a year to go and a lot can change in my life, in his life, in the lives of the other players. We will have to be patient and work hard for next year."