"For now we are satisfied with how he is doing" - Remco Evenepoel's coach happy with how the first week went so far

In December, just after Christmas, Remco Evenepoel went to France to recon the first Tour de France time trial. Has it paid off for the Soudal - Quick-Step rider? Well, he won the test against the clock with a dominant performance that left no doubts... so you could say so.

Remco's coach Koen Pelgrim was also biting his nails in the team car, he tells Sporza. "It was extremely stressful, especially when something mechanical seemed to be wrong at the end. But Remco recovered and quickly got back into a good rhythm."

Still, Remco's performance did not surprise the experienced coach in the slightest. "We knew he could compete for the win, but of course it is nice when it comes out."

After a week of racing, Evenepoel remains second overall, as his gap to race leader Tadej Pogacar has lowered to 33 seconds and the advantage over other competitors further extended. Pelgrim also does not want to adjust the ambition of top 5. "We will continue to look at it from day to day. Tomorrow it could look completely different again. But for now we are satisfied with how he is doing."