Remco Evenepoel narrowly missed the Belgian road race title on Sunday. The Belgian became national time trial champion on Friday and hoped to repeat his feat from the Olympic Games.
Evenepoel made history last year at the Olympic Games in Paris by becoming the first rider ever to win both gold in the Olympic time trial and the road race.
Tim Wellens prevented Evenepoel from achieving the same feat at the Belgian championships. The UAE Team Emirates rider crossed the finish line first in Binche after a solo of over 40 kilometers.
Evenepoel crossed the line 39 seconds behind Wellens in second place. Jasper Philipsen completed the podium. All three riders will be at the start of the Tour de France next Saturday.
Wout van Aert was initially also scheduled to start at the Belgian road race championship, but the Visma-Lease a Bike rider withdrew at the last moment due to illness. It remains to be seen whether he will be fit in time for the Tour.
In Poland, a UAE rider also ran off with the national title. Rafal Majka crossed the finish line solo in Dobczyce after a course of over 202 kilometers. The 35-year-old Majka was Polish champion once before: in 2016.