Lemko Evenpoel celebrated his Olympic gold medal Sunday night in Paris. Hard days and late nights at the races did not seem to bother him.

After winning the Olympic time trial in the heart of Paris, Evenpoel celebrated his Tour de France podium in Nice last Sunday until 4 in the morning, but still revealed that he recovered to be in top shape for Saturday's race against the clock.

On Saturday evening, Evenpoel's gold medal and Wout Van Aert's bronze medal were celebrated at the Belgian Olympic House in Paris in front of Eddy Merckx, 2016 pension medalist Greg Van Avermaat, and their emotional families.

The athletes and their families then drove across northern France to their home in Belgium. Evenpoel will only have a few days to recover from his efforts and the emotion of winning an Olympic gold medal, but he is confident that he will make a rapid recovery again. After the exhaustion of the Tour de France, Evenpoel hopes to be back on his feet for Saturday's men's road race.

“It's true I went to bed at 4:30 last Sunday after the Tour,” he said. I wasn't thinking about how I would feel in the time trial.”

“After a late night, I stayed in bed all Monday and went to a restaurant. Tuesday I rode my bike and went out to a restaurant again. On Wednesday I flew to Paris and went to Rickon. It wasn't until Friday that I felt fresh again, and suddenly I felt like I still had something left in the tank. That gave me confidence and I was able to show my strength in the time trial.”

Evenepoel was fastest at every checkpoint, averaging 53.7 km/h on the wet track and setting a winning time of 36:12 in the 32.4 km Olympic time trial. He was 15 seconds ahead of Filippo Ganna (ITA) and 25 seconds ahead of fellow Belgian Van Aert.

“I had doubts about my form and didn't know how I could perform. So it was one of the most beautiful moments of my life and career,” said Evenpoel.

His time in his own country will undoubtedly give him a taste of his latest success. Belgium is a small country, winning only a handful of medals at each Olympics, but Evenpoel won a valuable gold medal.

“I still have no words, Olympic champion...” Evenepoel posted on social media on Sunday after waking up late at home after a five-week expedition.

Although only 24 years old, Evenepoel has already won time trial titles: the European champion in 2019, the Belgian champion in 2022, the world champion in 2023, and the Olympic title in 2024.

“It was the last championship in my time trial career that I lacked in terms of time trial. That list is off.

“It's incredible to win this title after a great Tour de France. It means a lot, it's a once-in-four-years opportunity.”

Evenpoel had big celebrations ahead of him until after the road race on Saturday, August 3.

“With a big and important race coming up, we don't have much time to party. 'I want to throw a special party next week. Let's savor this moment now and try again next week.”

Evenpoel's confidence is sky-high after the incredible performances of the past month. But he knows that winning a 273-km road race with a small team and a peloton of just 90 riders will be difficult. His biggest rivals include Dutchman Mathieu van der Pol, his French-Soudal-Quick Step teammate Julien Alaphilippe, and Eritrea's Biniam Girmay.

“I think it's a completely different race. Luckily, I am not the leader of the team.

“Wout is in very good shape and so is Jasper. I think we have a very strong team. Of course, there are other strong riders and countries.

“First we will enjoy this race, get some rest and still have a week or so to think about how to win a road race.

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