European champion beats out world champion as Josh Tarling edges Remco Evenepoel to Chrono des Nations title

Ineos Grenadiers youngster wins lengthy time trial test despite roundabout mishap

16:44, Sunday 15th October 2023

George Poole

Junior Writer

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The Chrono des Nations is Josh Tarling's first time trial and first success since winning the European Championships time trial last month

Sunday afternoon brought a thrilling showdown for fans of the time trial discipline to enjoy, with Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Quick-Step) and Josh Tarling (Ineos Grenadiers) facing off against each other for the first time since they won the World and European Championships, respectively. It was the young Brit who came out on top at the Chrono des Nations time trial event, pipping the Belgian by 13 seconds over the 45.4km course.

Remarkably, the event is only Evenepoel's third race in France in his professional career. The 2021 edition was his first, followed by his disastrous day to the Col du Tourmalet at the recent Vuelta a España, which brought his hopes of defending his title crumbling down.

Back on the time trial bike and with a lengthy test to look ahead to, Evenepoel would wear his rainbow bands with pride in his final race of the season. He produced a blistering ride that would only be bettered by the sensational Tarling.

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The two were the only riders to average more than 52km/h on the mostly flat route, with the first intermediate time check showing only a 10-second gap between Evenepoel and the virtual leader on the road, Tarling. This deficit would remain for the rest of the race, with Evenepoel coming over the line in Les Herbiers 13 seconds slower than the 19-year-old.

Successful seasons for Josh Tarling and Remco Evenepoel come to an end

For Evenepoel, it was his 27th podium of the 2023 campaign, which has brought him 14 victories and the most Grand Tour stage wins of any rider. For Tarling, the Chrono des Nations was the first time trial he had ridden since winning the European Championships in this discipline.

Showing off his new jersey in style, the 19-year-old ended his neo-pro season in the best way possible and confirmed what everybody already knew following his British National Championships title, Renewi Tour time trial win and third place in the World Championships time trial - Tarling is a phenomenon on the TT bike.

It was a proud day all around for the Tarling family. Not only did Josh win the elite Chrono des Nations after his junior title last season, but his younger brother Fin came home second in the junior race. Their father Michael Tarling took to X (formerly Twitter) to celebrate their success after the race, whilst also drawing attention to the older brother's roundabout mishap.

It turns out that towards the end of his ride, Josh Tarling went the wrong way at a roundabout, which makes his win even more remarkable. After beating the reigning world champion over such a lengthy test, excitement will surely now start to build for what the young Brit may achieve in 2024.

Elsewhere, Stefan Bissegger of EF Education-EasyPost finished in third place, 1:10 down on Tarling's winning time, whilst Rémi Cavagna ended his last race in Soudal Quick-Step colours with an admirable fourth place.