19/10/2022

Evenepoel "has become much calmer" after 2022 season, Axel Merckx argues

Remco Evenepoel has succeeded wildly in the 2022 season, something which has been very well taken in Belgium who have gotten a new Grand Tour winner and World Champion. Axel Merckx, manager of Hagens Bermans Axeon and son of Eddy Merckx talked about his compatriot.

“Liège-Bastogne-Liège has changed everything," he told Het Nieuwsblad. "You could still see his nerves in the Brabantse Pijl. The irritations. But once a monument like Liège in your pocket, you saw all the pressure drop. Nothing had to be done, everything was allowed. And then you see with riders like Remco that a lot is suddenly possible. The physical potential was always there, but he also took a step mentally there. He has become much calmer, everything is more balanced.”

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A late comer into cycling, Evenepoel's talent has seen him turn pro at only 19 years of age with Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl, and has ever since endured tremendous media pressure, dramas and almost unreal expectations. 2022 has seen him however handle it better. “That will cause a certain amount of stress. On the other hand, I think he even likes that. He handles it well. It just gives him more confidence," Merckx said.

“It will only be a problem if it (his form is a poorer than this year). Then such a jersey can weigh heavily... But if Remco is there from the start, it will even be an extra incentive," he continued. Evenepoel debuted his rainbow jersey at the recent Binche - Chimay - Binche however without pressure to perform. 2023 will be a year with different challenges but less pressure.

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“Suppose that the next few years would be disappointing at Quick-Step. That he hasn’t won the Tour in two or three years," Merckx launched, warning of the Belgian team's need to build a group around Evenepoel to support him in the Grand Tours and make sure he doesn't feel the need to move to a different squad to match his ambitions.

"Then the temptation to try elsewhere may increase. Because that will make him think: those other teams have already won so many Grand Tours, they know how to do it. Seductive," he concluded.