It had been less than a week since Lemco Evenpoel's landmark Vuelta a España victory, but as he sat in a room full of Belgian journalists north of Wollongong on Friday evening, the long flight and the jet lag that accompanied the twists and turns of a-- Nevertheless, he didn't look like a player who had just joined a brilliantly successful - and successful - three-week...

Evenpoel may have shown faint signs of fatigue as he shared a stage with Tour de France stage 1 winner Yves Lampère and discussed the individual time trial for the UCI Road World Championships.

The joke was probably that the riders would be prey to the Australian magpie. The tone softened when they talked about Sunday's course and the challenges of their rivals, but ultimately, this media conference was short and unstructured.

The 22-year-old Quick-Step Alfa Vinyl riders did not return home after their victory, but instead went straight to Australia, but they did not leave the media attention of their home country unattended. They made the most of the opportunity to spend time with the first Belgian Grand Tour winner since 1978, and Evenpoel was happy to oblige.

He did not put aside the fact that the race and the trip had taken its toll, but said the four days of calm had been good for him.

"I knew beforehand that this would happen. I was mentally prepared," Evenpole said.

"You can't just let a race at your home world championships go. After the Grand Tour, you can find those magical legs and push a bigger gear. I hope so too.

"I already planned three months ago how I would fill this week. It will be the best recovery week. Coming here as soon as possible after the Vuelta was a good decision for my body and for the championships.

So far the focus has been on the time trial, which is far from a typical course. Not only is the elite men's course much shorter than usual at 34.2 km, but it is also a technical circuit with about 30 corners in two laps.

Nevertheless, Evenpoel is approaching this course with some confidence.

"I'm very happy with the consistency I've shown in the time trials this year," he said. My worst result was second place. If I can repeat that on Sunday, that would be very good."

"It all depends on how you feel on the day. I am confident in that respect. I felt pretty good in training today. Anyway, no more pressure. My season is already a success."

Despite his breakthrough season as Grand Tour champion, Evenpoel is still fully motivated to take the rainbow jersey.

"Of course I want to win. I worked hard on the time trial this year. Of course I want to win. But whether I finish second or tenth here, it won't change my season."