Dries de Bondt following Belgian Nationals: "If you ride behind Evenepoel, you get almost the same amount of wind"

Remco Evenepoel took the title on the road at the Belgian National Championships over the weekend. Dries de Bondt was alongside Evenepoel in a breakaway during the day and has spoke of his experience.

The heat was infernal on the day, something de Bondt admits he struggled with. "It was unseen. I haven't experienced this before. My engine just exploded," says de Bondt to Sporza, referencing the fact his computer said the average temperature for the day was 32 degrees! "The light started flashing in red. I couldn't cool down in the final. I didn't even ride a turn in the lead and couldn't recover in the wheels. I didn't have any water to cool me down in the last round, that broke me up."

As mentioned, de Bondt joined Evenepoel when the Soudal - Quick-Step man attacked with 30km to go. Riding alongside the reigning World Champion however, brought with it challengers in and of itself. "I knew when Remco would go. On that stretch of crosswind. It was super telephoned. But if you are that strong, none of that matters," recalls de Bondt. 

"He just smothered us all. I've actually never experienced that," he continues. "If you ride behind Evenepoel, you get almost the same amount of wind. It's like you're in the lead yourself, when you're behind."