"Compared to Argentina he is already a lot better" - Quick-Step confident in Remco Evenepoel's form at UAE Tour
CyclingTuesday, 21 February 2023 at 19:35
Remco Evenepoel is on good form. Take it from his own DS Klaas Lodewyck, who is liking the performances of the World Champion ahead of the first mountain stage at the UAE Tour.
“I expected it to be close, but I did not expect such a nail biter," team DS Klaas Lodewyck told Sporza. "We may have started a little too slow, but after the intermediate point we gradually started to accelerate. Everyone rode a very strong time trial, but if you have someone like Remco in the team, you have to use him. He made all the difference.”
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The team time-trial provided a tough challenge for all teams. Whilst some such as UAE Team Emirates underperformed, EF Education-EasyPost overperformed and almost grabbed a surprise victory in the 17-kilometer stage. Soudal - Quick-Step took it on the line with only 1 second of advantage, taking their second stage win and having Evenepoel in a strong position for the GC, sitting at the same time as race leader Luke Plapp.
“Even a Remco that is not yet top notch is already very good. I think compared to Argentina he is already a lot better," Lodewyck admits. Tomorrow's Jebel Jais stage summit finish won't likely be decisive but it will be a difficult challenge, and there the Belgian team will have to count on a strong team performance before Evenepoel can show his worth in the final ramps.
"He had a good week in Spain just before this race. But the Giro d'Italia remains his main goal, so he can really reach his top form with an altitude training. Only, even a Remco that is not yet top notch is already very good.”
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- All very sad. But you seem to be backing the journalists in generally demonising Tadej and canonising Jonas. This article is interesting though, and suggests Jonas is making very good financial decisions, acquiring luxury homes that he and his family are enjoying living in, and staying near family (also now in luxury homes) who can help with the kids. Sounds like a great lifestyle, and not a basis for critising Pog's decisions.Hills3311-01-2026
- Anyone who thinks the Giro is a training camp for the Tour, for Vingegaard, is not right in the head. First of all, he is not Pogacar and secondly, UAE will send almost A team to make Jonas life miserable and make the race difficult. If the danish fisherman competes in Giro, his chances drop from 20 to 2 percent. I also read some foolish statements that the 2026 Tour is against Pogi and I'm dying of laughter. 2026 is the most ideal Tour that Pogi will ever ride. Not a single stage is difficult except 20st. Everything else is made for UAE to control. Every mountain stage has 30-40km of easy terrain before the last climb.NikkoNicco11-01-2026
- it doesn’t matter what Jonas is doing with the houses, the article is trash. and the fact that he is buying houses in Denmark with no criticism makes everyone’s point all the stronger. it is Tadej’s life. he isn’t breaking the law. he can live where he wishes how he wishes. and his “side” isn’t quoted, which especially irks me. it makes it sound as if he is living in Monaco just to cheat taxes. maybe he is there because it is an ideal training base year round. or any other number or reasons. and, it happens to be a good financial decision.mij11-01-2026
- Unbelievably I remember people saying 2024 Pogi was avoiding Jonas by riding the Giro. Seriously why wouldn’t Jonas ride the Giro? Only GT he hasn’t won. It’s a pretty obvious and logical move.mobk11-01-2026
- it must suck to have to admit that the time to win is only going to be a result of someone else’s retirement, not improved skill or speed.mij11-01-2026
- National champs are supposed to be individual events, rider v rider not raced as teams.wipperman9511-01-2026
- National champs are supposed to be individual events, rider v rider not raced as teams.wipperman9511-01-2026
- I assume Plapp will be about as popular as a fart in a gas mask this season on the team bus. What an absolute clown shoe. Attacking his own team-mate with a lap and a half to go, bringing back his rivals with you, then fluffing it yourself to let the other guy win. You’d assume that if they had race radios, the DS would be telling Plapp to stop p*sing on Durbo’s chips, but at the same time you’d also expect a World Tour rider to understand this kind of basic racecraft. Felt like watching Dwars with Nielsen Powless and Visma. Hats off to the winner though, and him sledging his former team for giving him the boot, haha. Unreal scenes.antipodeanpedalfan11-01-2026
- You can write the same article replacing JV with a whole bunch of names. Every race needs competitors and wants the best they can get. Jonas has a Vuelta, 2 Tours and no Giro, you said it yourself so - Go figure. Has he ruled out the Tour? Am convinced if Tadej decides to do the Giro, Jonas won’t cancel, it’s nothing to do with dodging, it’s about deciding for himself and not living for others. Jonas has offered plenty of competition to Tadej, it’s not his only purpose or obligation. Had there not been a Tadej, he’d be considered one of the too 3 GT riders ever, he’s just a bit unlucky not to clearly be ahead of Froome and no other recent rider comes close, though Rogliç might have given him a good run if not in the same team.Mistermaumau11-01-2026
- But you see, you are looking at Jonas as if he thinks like you. Maybe he’s not buying houses to MAKE money, perhaps just to use them? There are plenty of countries and cultures where it is quite common for people with means to help those with less, family, friends, neighbours, community. It used to be more like that in a lot of countries where (aside from dole fringe minority) that seems to have changed and probably been forgotten.Mistermaumau11-01-2026
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