"A lot is possible this week" - Remco Evenepoel full of confidence ahead of Criterium du Dauphine 2025 opener

Remco Evenepoel has an early chance to prove his 2025 Tour de France credentials this week as the Soudal - Quick-Step leader goes head to head with the likes of Jonas Vingegaard and Tadej Pogacar at the Criterium du Dauphine. Confidence is clearly high within the Belgian's camp as well.

"Yeah, I think everything is pretty good now — just in all aspects that we need in cycling. So yeah, I’m happy with where I am now," previewed Evenepoel in a pre-stage 1 interview in Domérat with Cycling Pro Net. "It’s going to be less of a rush towards the Tour, and starting with this beautiful race is a perfect way to begin. I can be happy with my shape and with how my body is feeling."

Making his second ever start at the Criterium du Dauphine, Evenepoel came into last year's race off the back of that infamous crash at the Itzulia Basque Country and although he won a stage and wore the Maillot Jaune, a 7th overall finish in the general classification was not quite the kind of result that Evenepoel and Soudal - Quick-Step would have hoped for. This time around though, Evenepoel is arriving fresh, focused and raring to go.

"I think it’s going to be a first test. Of course, I’m here with a lot of motivation to do very well. It’s about finding those last percentages and details on the way to Tour form," he assesses. "I’m going to try to get some good results, and I hope to finish higher than I did last year. We have a pretty strong team, and I’m feeling confident — so I think a lot is possible this week."