Evenepoel looking sharp for Vuelta a Espana debut having "lightest weight of all of 2022" proven successful
Cycling
Before his win at the Clasica San Sebastian, where he impressed to drop everyone on the ascent to Erlaitz and took a comfortable solo win - his second in the race - Remco Evenepoel has talked to reporters about his recent training camp and the effects towards the Vuelta a Espana.
“I'm a little less heavy," he said to the many reporters present on a Zoom call. "Take the first part of this season, when I worked towards Liège-Bastogne-Liège. That is a course with fewer long climbs and more explosiveness. We didn't pay attention to my weight then, or at least not like I do now with this race and the Vuelta coming up," he said. Early in the season his objectives were pointed towards the hilly races, but that ambition has now changed as he's looking to perform in the high mountains of the Vuelta a Espana.
For that, he has given a lot of attention to his weight, reportedly dropped from 64 back to 60Kg before the Spanish classic. "Right now I'm at my lightest weight of all of 2022. The diet you follow also depends on the race. In addition, there are specific workouts that help to lose muscle mass or fat," he explained.
“The steeper the climb, the more important the weight. The weight loss I've been having lately can really help me respond to attacks. As a result, I suffer less on the really steep sections". At the recent Basque classic he's shown the results of that work, having dropped all of the competition in the steep ascent of Erlaitz which averaged over 10% with seemingly relative ease. He is nevertheless keen on conserving himself racing-wise in order to reach the final mountain stages of the Vuelta in top form.
He's been on a training camp in Livigno together with several teammates recently, having put his focus on riding long kilometers in the Alpine ascents, and building an aerobic base which will be necessary for the upcoming months. "I've trained a lot on the Mortirolo and other really steep climbs in Livigno because I know what's coming up in the Vuelta as well," he revealed.
"I felt during those workouts that I quickly got used to those steep sections. Also, my explosiveness is even slightly better than a few months ago, despite the weight loss," Evenepoel explained, surprisingly. The Vuelta a Espana is set to start on the 19th of August and go deep into September, making for a long period to keep the form, unless Evenepoel is yet to show his best legs.
Rúben SilvaEditor-in-Chief
A founding contributor to CyclingUpToDate since its launch in January 2022, Ruben Silva has played a central role in shaping the site’s editorial direction and long-term growth. Before joining the project, he built his experience through independent blogging at Echelons Hub and by producing race previews for Ciclismo Internacional, developing a strong analytical voice rooted in daily engagement with professional cycling.
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Originally from the Porto metropolitan area in Portugal, he holds a bachelor’s degree in Geography. His path into cycling journalism was shaped not through formal media training, but through independent reporting, community engagement, and sustained on-the-ground involvement in the sport.
Over the course of his career, he has conducted approximately 100 interviews across road cycling and cyclocross, ranging from one-to-one conversations and online formats to press conferences and on-site pre- and post-race coverage. His interviews include leading riders, team managers, and prominent figures within cycling media: Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard, Mathieu van der Poel, Primoz Roglic, Wout van Aert, Joao Almeida and Tom Pidcock; managers like Patrick Lefevere and Joxean Matxin; and YouTube personality Bryan Kennedy (BKXC)...
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- I had no idea about that either.
santiagobenites10-11-2026 - great analysis thanks! appreciate you posting this. I didn't realize CX had a different standard for deviation. this is even more egregious it seems.mij10-11-2026
- As he isn't currently with Red Bull, I guess if he want to race for one more year he needs to find a team. He's 37 so this will be his last year I would guess, unless he wants to race for almost nothing like Froome did.awp10-11-2026
- I think some are making much ado about nothing. Even though Jonas is getting older, before his crash in the Tour, he looked like a solid 2nd all the way home. No one can really climb with Tadej until this year, Eric Mas showed himself which I think was a one off year for him and Paul Seixas has been able to be pretty close to him. Whatever stage race Jonas enters as long as Tadej is not there he is a favorite to win.awp10-11-2026
- Giro or not Giro, he won't win the Tour!MajorPayne10-11-2026
- Very true.awp10-11-2026
- Ciccone had a very strong end of season. Consistently attacking and livening up races. Hope he makes that last leap in progress and starts notching some significant wins. Great rider to watch.Occam10-11-2026
- Me too!!!!!Occam10-11-2026
- they can sign any 100 of top riders today but Pogi will win over Remco any time at the TDF unless something goes wrongabstractengineer10-11-2026
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Incredible feeling to win Clásica San Sebastián for the second time!! 🏆🏆 Huge thanks to the entire team for the amazing work today, proud to finish it off!! 💙🐺 #TheWolfpack Now full focus on the preparations for La Vuelta! 💪🏻🇪🇸
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