On his Tour de France debut, Remco Evenepoel silenced a lot of doubters. After starting strongly, the Belgian took a first stage win in the stage individual time-trial and never really suffered a massive drop-off thereafter, completing the podium behind Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard and winning the White Jersey for Best Young Rider.
In his post-2024 Tour de France analysis, Sporza expert Jose De Cauwer was asked "What stood out in the Remco Evenepoel story?" by colleague Renaat Schotte. "Being able to continue working for 3 weeks," De Cauwer answers thoughtfully about the Soudal - Quick-Step leader's first foray into Tour de France racing. "With that, he has secured his third place. The critics who still had legitimate doubts now know: Remco can come back."
In terms of the future and ending the long, long wait for a Belgian Tour de France winner, Jose De Cauwer is becoming more and more optimistic in regards to Evenepoel's Maillot Jaune hopes. "His preparation is getting better, his focus even stronger. He has now proven that he is ready to compete for the highest level," De Cauwer analyses.
In fact, the Belgian cycling expert now expects Evenepoel to concentrate fully on the Tour de France in coming years, avoiding return trips to the Giro d'Italia and the Vuelta a Espana. "I'm betting on a preparation with Liège-Bastogne-Liège, a few races in the run-up to the Tour and then in the autumn Lombardy and other races, such as the World Championships," he predicts.
With the 2024 Tour de France now having concluded, De Cauwer was also asked to make his predictions for the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris. First of all, who will take gold at the individual time-trial? "Joshua Tarling," De Cauwer answers. And as for the men's road race? "Remco Evenepoel," the vastly experienced 74-year-old concludes.
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