On stage in the media room of the UCI Road World Championships in Wollongong, Lemko Evenpoel spoke of the big goals he dreamed of when he started as a professional rider - Liege-Bastogne-Liege, Grand Tours, and World Championships. Liège-Bastogne-Liège, Grand Tours, and World Championships. Those are lofty goals, but at the age of 22, and in one season, he has achieved all three.

Even though Evenpoel may have looked tired after winning the Vuelta a España and then flying straight from Spain to Australia, this victory brought more than fatigue. Even the nation of maniacs did not ask for more, nor did they expect it.

He wore a red helmet and shoes to commemorate his victory in the Vuelta and went into his final race of the season looking forward to a belated Grand Tour celebration. Nevertheless, he had one more thing to celebrate after his solo attack with 25km to go in the elite men's road race at the World Championships.

"It's really incredible to accomplish so much in one year, and I can't tell you how proud I am of this year," Evenpoel said. But you can never do it alone. You can never win a race alone. I didn't win Liège, I didn't win the Vuelta, and I didn't win today alone." So I have to thank all the people who worked with me at key moments.

The hugs, tears, and jubilant celebrations of the Belgian team were in stark contrast to those after last year's World Championships in their hometown of Flanders. All eyes were on the local heroes, but they, and their fans, failed to produce the results they were looking for.

The rift between team leader Wout Van Aert and Evenpoel came after Van Aert finished 11th and Evenpoel suggested that they had the form to win, but were not able to do so under team direction. This year, however, the team made it clear that the two were co-leaders because they knew that was what was needed to "win for Belgium."

And they did win for Belgium. Evenpoel won the elite men's race for the first time since Philippe Gilbert won in Valkenburg a decade ago, and co-leader Van Aert sprinted from the back group to take fourth place. I think we made the best choice with the two leaders and Quinten Hermans below them," Van Aert said. Today's race was what we wanted, and that's how we won, so I guess we'll just have to repeat it. So I think we have to repeat this."

"It all depends on the course. If it is a pure sprint race, it is logical to start Wout or another sprinter, but if the course is long, hard, and never flat, you always have to go with two. If not, you could easily lose the race or find yourself in a tricky situation.

It also meant that Evenpole had a chance to chase down the win and take the rainbow jersey that his Quick-Step-Alfavinir teammate Julien Alaphilippe took last year and the year before. Alaphilippe said, "Because I didn't have enough time to fully enjoy my victory in the Vuelta. So with this added bonus, I'm going to be partying all winter long," said Evenpoel, who quickly added, "Not all of it, just the next month."