"45 seconds is a big gap" - Remco Evenepoel's coach plays down talk of Belgian taking yellow from Tadej Pogacar in Tour de France time-trial

On stage 7, the 2024 Tour de France enters Remco Evenepoel's terrain with the first individual time-trial. Just 45 seconds behind the Maillot Jaune of Tadej Pogacar, there has been some talk of the Belgian finishing the day in yellow. Evenepoel's coach however, isn't so sure.

"45 seconds is a big gap. Against a non-specialist it could still be possible, but Tadej Pogacar is no cakewalk either. Against him it will be very difficult," Evenepoel's Soudal - Quick-Step coach, Koen Pelgrim analyses in conversation with Sporza, also noting his rider's near perfect time-trial positioning. "That time trial position is very specific. You hold your muscles at a different angle than normal. You have to stay used to that. During a Grand Tour you can't maintain that position, the only opportunity you get is during loose riding."

The current time trial world champion, Evenepoel has understandably taken a big focus to stage 7. “We reconned this time trial twice: at the end of December after Christmas and just before the Tour, after his altitude training camp," Pelgrim recalls. "It's an important goal for us, for the classification but certainly also for the stage itself."

"I have a pacing plan in mind, but Remco's own input is also important. In the first part he will have to start strongly, but he will have to keep some reserve for that climb, so that he can ride with some surplus there," continues the coach. "It is a time trial that certainly suits him, with parts where he needs to be able to use his strength. But compared to the other classification riders it would have been better if it had been a bit flatter. That is more to his advantage."

Ahead of his Tour de France debut, Evenepoel has notably slimmed down. Whilst this will undoubtedly benefit the Belgian in the mountains, could it harm his time trial power however? "In a completely flat time trial, that weight loss would also mean a loss in absolute power," concludes Pelgrim. "But the uphill section will also play an important role."