On a relatively flat 11.6 kilometer loop covered three times in Gavere, East Flanders, the young Quick Step prodigy (22) won at 40 minutes 22.
Winner last year ahead of Evenepoel, his team-mate in the "Wolfpack", Yves Lampaert, finished second at 37 seconds while the other Belgian specialist in the discipline, Yves Campenaerts (Lotto Soudal), completed the podium from a distance even more respectable (1:34.).
"Winning a title is always extremely pleasing," explained Evenepoel, who signed his 9th victory of the season, the 3rd time trial.
"Until now, I had come very close to this happiness without ever reaching it (3rd in 2019 and 2nd in 2021, editor's note) but I have gained experience and I manage the technical parts better. At times, I felt like I was flying!"
Belgian time trial champion in 2019 and 2020, Wout van Aert was not at the start this Thursday.
Worried by knee pain, the Jumbo-Visma rider will not be present during the road race on Sunday in Middelkerke (West Flanders).
Classification :
1. Remco Evenepoel (Quick Step), the 34 kms in 40:22.
2. Yves Lampaert (Quick Step) at 37.
3. Victor Campenaerts (Lotto Soudal) 1:34.
4. Rune Herregodts (Sport Vlaanderen) 1:56.
5. Frederik Frison (Lotto Soudal) 1:58.
© 2022 AFP