Remco Evenepoel arrives at the UCI Road World Championships with the relaxed demeanor of someone who knows he has something extra. Between jokes and banter with journalists, the Belgian doesn't shy away and admits, almost smiling, the role that everyone assigns to him.

The tone is informal, at times amused. When asked directly: "Remco, do you feel like the absolute favorite?" His first reaction is a smile and a touch of self-irony: "That's a very 'Dutch' question, the way you put it. It's difficult for me to answer". But then comes the candor: "Based on the results of my recent races, then, I'd probably say yes. In May the situation was different. Okay, I'll accept the question. Am I the number one favorite? I'd say yes".

There's no arrogance in Evenepoel's words, but the calm of someone who knows he's worked well. Explaining his condition, he recalls Quebec and Montreal: "In Montreal I wasn't playing hide-and-seek — he clarifies — I had already spent a lot in the Quebec race. I didn't feel at my best, I won't lie about that. I struggled a bit more on the upper part of the long climb. It certainly wasn't a deliberate attempt to hide my condition. That's not how I race".

The comparison with rivals inevitably turns to Mathieu van der Poel, and Evenepoel says he'll be a man to watch. "Mathieu has excellent chances of winning. We saw that in Zurich too. I'd give him more or less the same odds on this course". And on the French wildcard: "If I think about who needs to arrive solo, I look to France. Paul Seixas will have to do that. So the pressure is on France. We can use that to our advantage. We certainly shouldn't shoulder all the work the whole time".

During the course reconnaissance on Wednesday, Evenepoel spent a lot of time on the long Camillien-Houde climb: "I hadn't pedaled much over the weekend (because of the time trial). I wanted one last high-intensity day on Wednesday. Going up and down that climb was simpler than completing the entire thirteen-kilometer circuit each time".

On the internal balance within Belgium and his relationship with Wout van Aert, his answer is measured: "I don't think the Belgians have to do all the work. Wout and I can only win if we arrive in a small group or, for Wout, maybe in a slightly larger group. We had a few pre-race tactical meetings, focusing mainly on how to manage the middle section: from eight to five laps to go. That's where we need to maintain control of the race. In the finale, then, it's the legs that do the talking". And on any tensions after Leuven 2021: "People often talk about Leuven, but actually nobody did anything wrong there. I don't always understand the criticism about it. Watch that race again: Wout asked me to do something and I did exactly that".

Finally, on his own growth, Evenepoel highlights the improvement in his sprint, which gives him an extra option in the finale: "If I can't drop the other riders, I can also wait. We saw that in Montreal: I had to wait in my group until... at the finish line, but I won the sprint for fifth place. This gives me a bit more peace of mind for the final phase. I can read the race better from the back".

His last quip, before closing the interview, is about the value of the rainbow jersey. "I know what it means to wake up in the morning and be able to wear a white jersey with the rainbow every day. For a rider it's an enormous privilege. But let's be honest: if I don't win on Sunday, nobody will say: 'It doesn't matter, he's already become world champion in Wollongong'"". Then a laugh and a handshake: "Well then".

For now, in Montreal the odds are all in favor of the Belgian: talent, recent form, and a cool head—ingredients that put him, without question, on the list of the most credible favorites for these World Championships.