"He's maximizing his potential" - Julian Alaphilippe understands Remco Evenepoel's move away from Quick-Step

Julian Alaphilippe and Remco Evenepoel were teammates throughout many years at Soudal - Quick-Step, and from the Frenchman, Evenepoel learnt a lot - specially as both were riders destined to be at the very top of the sport. Both have now left the team, and Alaphilippe understands the decision of his former teammate to do the same.

"I know him very well. His move doesn't surprise me. I think he knows his potential and wants to perform at that level," Alaphilippe shared in words to Marca. "With this move, he's maximizing his potential. It will be interesting to see, and I wish him all the best."

Evenepoel has spent many years with Quick-Step were he was signed right after his junior years. Despite several meaningful injuries that have affected his career, he managed to develop into the rider that many hoped he would be, although the expectations were perhaps set higher than any other rider of his generation.

With a Grand Tour in his palmarès, monuments, world titles, olympic titles and countless other high-level victories, Evenepoel achieved more than most ever will in the sport and also had the Belgian team invest in a climbing block for him. But in a world of 'super teams', just being good isn't enough. Into 2026, his contract was bought out by Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe whom he wanted to join, to have better support in the mountains and pursue his Grand Tour ambitions to a higher level - which includes the goal of winning a Tour de France.

Alaphilippe, on what is potentially the final season of his career, will be racing Strade Bianche, Milano-Sanremo and the Ardennes as hig biggest goals of the spring, battling the likes of Tadej Pogacar and Mathieu van der Poel in the biggest one-day races.

"They're two great champions, but they're also incredibly focused on the Grand Tours. We're not chasing the same goals," Alaphilippe said of the 'big two' who are set to dominate the monument scene this year like they did in 2025. "Even when Tadej starts in the Classics, I just follow my own path. There are many riders who can win."