“Coming back at y’all” - Remco Evenepoel returns to training for first time since Tour de France heartbreak

Olympic champion Remco Evenepoel has returned to training for the first time since his withdrawal from the 2025 Tour de France, marking a small but symbolic step forward after a physically and emotionally draining month for the 25-year-old Belgian.

On Monday, the Belgian posted a 105-kilometre ride on Strava — his first since leaving the Tour de France on Stage 14 whilst sitting 3rd in the general classification, on course for a second successive podium finish — captioned with a defiant “Coming back at y’all” and lyrics from French rapper Werenoi: “If only you knew how much time we’ve wasted. In trying to recover it, we’ve been frustrated by many things.” The words struck a chord, echoing the frustration and fatigue that ultimately forced Evenepoel to step off the bike three weeks ago.

Despite riding into the second week of the Tour de France with a stage win, days in the white jersey and a provisional podium position, Evenepoel’s early form masked deeper issues. The Soudal - Quick-Step leader later revealed that he was suffering from the compounded effects of a broken rib, lingering fatigue from an off-season crash, and a sinus infection that worsened after his abandonment. "I felt completely empty," he admitted in a candid post-Tour message. "It was the right decision to stop. For the first time, I really listened to my body."

His return to the road suggests he’s turned a corner, though no comeback timeline has been announced. With the only races predicted on his calendar for the rest of the year being the World Championships in Rwanda and the European Championships in France, it is unclear as of yet whether Evenepoel targets a late-season goal or simply focuses on rebuilding for 2026, the tone of his ride speaks volumes. He's not just recovering — he’s reloading.