“He is a phenomenon” - Chris Froome backs Remco Evenepoel to contest for Maillot Jaune on Tour de France debut

Very few people will have as much knowledge about what it takes to win the Tour de France, as Chris Froome does. A four time winner of the Maillot Jaune, Froome is very excited by the upcoming Tour debut of former Vuelta a Espana winner, Remco Evenepoel.

“He is a phenomenon. What Remco has achieved so far is incredible. I am sure he will achieve even more in the future," says the 39-year-old Brit, who won the Tour de France in 2013, 2015, 2016 and 2017, full of praise for Evenepoel in conversation with RTBF, having had a close view of the Soudal - Quick-Step leader's return to racing from injury at the recent Criterium du Dauphine. 

Evenepoel had a somewhat mixed time at the Dauphine, winning the time-trial and spending a few days in the Maillot Jaune. Although his climbing legs clearly weren't at their best just yet, with the Belgian slipping down to finish 7th overall, Froome, a three-time Criterium du Dauphine winner in his own right, was impressed by what he saw from Evenepoel.

"He completely dominated the time trial and put himself in a good position to claim a strong overall classification,” the Israel - Premier Tech rider recalls and as such, Froome is backing Evenepoel to contest for the Maillot Jaune at the Tour de France in the coming weeks. "We certainly can't rule him out. He will be the center of attention in the Tour. I have no advice to give him. He is doing an excellent job.”

Although he has no advice for Evenepoel, Froome did send a message in regards to his own experiences of riding to win a three-week stage race. “You have to try to lose as little time as possible on the difficult days and grab as many seconds as possible when the legs are good," concludes the 39-year-old, who still has hopes of making the Tour de France startlist himself. "I also don't think that the pressure from outside can be greater than the pressure you put on yourself."