Another great effort and a cold Fanta for @EvenepoelRemco after his second podium in as many days! #VoltaCatalunya102
Alberto Contador on Remco Evenepoel's racing style: "These things keep us glued to the television screen"
CyclingWednesday, 22 March 2023 at 22:27
Alberto Contador is a vocal figure in cycling, and with the emergence of a talent as good as the Spaniard in his prime years, a new Tour de France winner may be in the making. He's analyzed Remco Evenepoel's season, future ambitions and shared his feelings.
“I think he is going to have a great season. I think it was a good decision to go to the Giro d’Italia this year and not go to the Tour de France just yet. And in the future we will see whether he can rival Pogacar and Vingegaard on the Tour de France," Contador said in an interview with Eurosport. “Only time will tell, but with Evenepoel’s age, he still has a lot of margin for improvement. So I think we still need to give him a bit of time."
The 23-year old has won the UAE Tour earlier this year to kick off well another season. After last year's incredible season where he conquered a World title, Grand Tour and monument inbetween his triumphs, it's harder to improve on that. However it's possible, the Giro d'Italia is on Evenepoel's sights, and currently he sits second at the Volta a Catalunya with a shot at taking another big GC title.
The Grand Tours however are where he's now expected to thrive. After breaking through all barriers he raced into a maiden victory at the Vuelta last year. Having worked through his flaws and improved his consistency, he's placed himself at the very top of the cycling world. “I’m sure he learnt a lot last year on the Vuelta a Espana. He did have the odd bad day and that could help him analyse what he might have done wrong or what he could have done better.
“Who is Remco Evenepoel? Remco Evenepoel is a rider that is capable of attacking on the flat and putting the whole peloton in check, and winning in style. He is capable of attacking on a stage on the Giro and riding solo to win in style," the triple Grand Tour winner continued. "He will carry on flying in the time trials and what I am also eager to see is how he does on the climbs at the Giro. They are climbs with really steep gradients so let's see how he deals with those situations.
At the Giro Evenepoel will face the likes of Primoz Roglic and João Almeida as his main rivals likely. He's yet to make his debut at the Tour de France and that should only happen in 2024. 'El Pistolero' is however in agreement with that option, instead focusing on steady development and build-up towards a race that requires tremendous amounts of physical and psychological effort.
However a rider of Evenepoel's caliber, he's seemingly been able to shrug off the pressure and expectations that were put on his back. With another year of racing ahead still, Evenepoel will still have the chance to evolve further before aiming to an even higher goal.
“And for the rest of the season, the same thing. Let him carry on riding crazy. He really goes for it and you don’t know whether what he has done will work out or not because he has attacked so far from the finish line. But these things keep us glued to the television screen and keep us enjoying cycling," he concluded.
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