Remco EVENEPOEL. 10 and praise. He stuns the number one, humiliates him, beats him up, reduces him to a supporting character by devouring the road, digesting kilometers, crushing the residual ambitions of the Slovenian who thought he had a chance, but against the Belgian's precision there's little to do. One is a digital watch of Swiss perfection, the other a timeless hourglass. Remco flies at almost fifty kilometers per hour (48.948 km/h): third consecutive world time trial championship, fourth in a row with the road race, dreaming of the world championship double after achieving the Olympic one. He had said it: never been in such good form. He didn't hide, because Remco is always sincere, just like the stopwatch.

Jay VINE. 9. 1'23" behind his captain Pogacar, just to add insult to injury. He comes out of the Vuelta with monster condition and on Sunday in the road race he'll be one of the riders to watch, given that the 29-year-old Australian is flying.

Ilan VAN WILDER. 9. An absolute value performance by the Belgian rider, making the party even bigger in the Evenepoel camp. First and third, two medals to start this world championship week in the best possible way. Fireworks are already expected today for an unparalleled show.

Tadej POGACAR. 4. If I'm here, it's because I know I can compete: he didn't compete at all. He lost, without ifs and buts. A hard and burning defeat that can undermine the Slovenian's confidence, having conceded too much to his opponents. He loses, strongly loses, getting caught and overtaken by his Belgian rival. A massive beating that for once makes him human. Perfectible and improvable. Seven days to try to return to what he has always been: never could a birthday (today turning 27) have been more bitter.

Isaac DEL TORO. 7. He's in good form and in the end he also arrives just 3" behind his captain. The Mexican confirms that the condition is still there and he too will be battling with the best on Sunday.

Andreas LEKNESSUND. 7. The 26-year-old Norwegian knows it's not easy to finish in the top ten, but he has the times to record a more than flattering 6th place. A race of level, among top-level riders.

Luke PLAPP. 6.5. The Jayco AlUla Australian is no stranger to trials of this level against the clock and confirms himself as a reliable rider.

Bruno ARMIRAIL. 6.5. The 31-year-old Frenchman comes out of the Vuelta with excellent condition and the world time trial only confirms this.

Thymen ARENSMAN. 6. The Dutchman has quality and talent, in this certainly not simple trial he shows glimpses of it, without exaggerating.

Stefan KÜNG. 5.5. At 31 years old he marks the time, in the sense that perhaps his best years are gone. He used to devour time trials, today he struggles to digest them.

Matteo SOBRERO. 5.5. The course certainly doesn't favor him, but he puts in all the craftsmanship he has.

Mattia CATTANEO. 5. It's likely he arrives with less than optimal condition, the road makes his path difficult.