Remco Evenepoel has quickly become one of the biggest sporting names in Belgium, proven by his recent winning of the Belgian of the Year award for 2023. As such the Baloise Belgium Tour is reportedly set to give Evenepoel a course tailor-made for him to showcase his talents on home roads.
Whether or not the reigning rainbow jersey wearer will even be at the start line of the five-day stage race on the 14th of June is still yet to be decided. Race organisers however believe that giving the race such an Evenepoel-friendly route is sure to lure the Soudal - Quick-Step rider into action.
“His participation is not entirely certain yet, but the chance seems very high,” Katrien Claus says to Het Nieuwsblad. "Because the organizers have explicitly asked us to keep two options ready for the time trial. A first course would then be a relatively short time trial that we can complete entirely on the territory of our municipality."
"But we are also working on a second longer ride that would also visit the municipality of Kruibeke," he continues. "We would then use that course if there is certainty about Remco's participation. As a time trial specialist, he comes into his own at a longer distance. Other world champions in the time trial would also be more inclined to start.”